Is grit a neccesity?

[Mama2chicks]

My chickens are all about 10 weeks old. They are out in the coop and get out into their run everyday. There is a lot of little gravel and rocks in their run, but no grass. If I throw down some scratch or treats will they still need grit or is the gravel enough? It is very small

 

[Judy]

I probably wouldn't, if there are small enough pieces and they are granite, but there are lots of opinions on this. From the FAQ page:

Q: What is grit and when to I give it to my chickens?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8833
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8907
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=9465
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=9052

 

[Saltysteele]

if there is gravel naturally occurring, you don't need grit.

chickens don't have teeth, so their gizzards do all the chewing. the grit is used in the gizzards as teeth, to pulverize the food.

you can also just throw in some oyster shells, which i suggest anyway for calcium, and that will help break the food up.

grit is not necessary, if they are able to find gravel/small rocks/etc. on their own.