Is Grit really nessesary?

[Hegatha]

What does grit really help with and what age do you usually feed it?
Thanks

 

[schellie69]

Grit helps them cut up their food since they don't have teeth, I give them grit when I give them anything other then the chick starter. They pick up grit while free ranging so if they are outside on the ground pecking and eating they pick up the grit. Some people use coarse sand in their runs they can get grit from that. You can also pick up a bag at your local farm store.

 

[Hegatha]

Okay so just offer is daily then. What age do start feeding it?

 

[mdbokc]

Start offering it when they start eating foods other than Starter/Grower feed. Don't be surprised if they devour it initially..they'll learn how much they take and take accordingly.

 

[Hegatha]

Some of the chicks are only about two weeks old is that to young to feed it? They are always out eating things off the ground.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

I never fed mine grit.. What I did was take a clump of grass/dirt from the yard and put it in the brooder. They got "grit" out of the dirt/rock pieces and had a BLAST pecking at the grass!!

 

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

Yes, grit is necessary!!

They either get it from their environment, or you need to "offer" it in a separate container. Some people "pepper" the food with grit. do what works for you, but they must have it one way or another.

 

[Hegatha]

Thanks for all the advise Im gonna offer it with there treat (chicken scratch) Every morning.

 

[Anianna]

I have a question along these lines, too. I wanted to give my almost week-old chickies some buggy treats and called Southern States if they had "chick grit". The girl said yes and set it aside for my hubby to pick up, but he came home with poultry grit that says to start using at 8 weeks. Can I give my younger chicks this grit? Would it hurt them any?

 

[bburn]

I had a bag of play sand in the garage.

I filled two flat bottomed containers with sand and put it in the brooder with the chicks. They LOVE it.....they take dust baths in it, they eat it and they sleep in it! I have never had to have it for my chickens....grit.....because we live where our dirt is more sand than dirt. But the little chicks love it and they are just now two weeks old.