Large Granite Rocks in Coop - Good or Bad Idea?!

[ChickieMomaNEPA]

Hey Chickie Peeps!
I live in an area (Northeast PA) where we have large naturally occurring granite rocks we’ve dug up. Question is - can I put a couple of these large rocks in the coop for our pullets (~4-5 weeks old) to peck away at in lieu of supplying crushed granite for grit? Thinking this could keep them entertained also. the chicks are Australorps. I currently give them grit mixed in with their feed since I started giving them oats about 2 weeks ago and now give them dandelion leaves/ other weeds for food and fun.
Thoughts?! Thanks in advance!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

The chickens need to be able to swallow their grit and will not be able to peck pieces off granite blocks.

They might, however, enjoy perching on them and they could make good run clutter.

Grit should be offered separately rather than mixed into the feed so that they can control what they eat instead of getting too much or too little in the feed mix.

 

[STACEYH]

It won't help as grit unless you crush it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chickens can't break granite any better than you could with your bare hands.

That said, having the rocks in the run isn't a bad thing, as they can use them to whittle nails and beaks if they want.

 

[Tonyroo]

Do you really need granite rocks in the coop? It really belongs in the run for terrain.

 

[ChickieMomaNEPA]

Chickens can't break granite any better than you could with your bare hands.

That said, having the rocks in the run isn't a bad thing, as they can use them to whittle nails and beaks if they want.

Good to know! Thank you do they like to whittle their beaks and nails down? Like how we file ours in a sense?

 

[ChickieMomaNEPA]

Do you really need granite rocks in the coop? It really belongs in the run for terrain.

Not the coop per se, for now, their still small so their in a large brooder pen that’s kept in a 3 season room I’ll turn into a larger space for them through the winter, and was thinking of putting the larger rocks in that space if beneficial. In the spring we’ll have a true outdoor run.

 

[ChickieMomaNEPA]

Welcome to BYC.

The chickens need to be able to swallow their grit and will not be able to peck pieces off granite blocks.

They might, however, enjoy perching on them and they could make good run clutter.

Grit should be offered separately rather than mixed into the feed so that they can control what they eat instead of getting too much or too little in the feed mix.

Thank you! I’ll make the change, appreciate the feedback!

 

[3KillerBs]

Not the coop per se, for now, their still small so their in a large brooder pen that’s kept in a 3 season room I’ll turn into a larger space for them through the winter, and was thinking of putting the larger rocks in that space if beneficial. In the spring we’ll have a true outdoor run.

Where, in general, are you?

You'll want the chickens out of the house LONG BEFORE SPRING.

At the time they're fully-feathered they can begin adapting to your weather and will quickly be able to withstand temperatures down to 0F or lower as long as they're dry and out of the wind.

If you're in a severe winter area here is the article you need to read: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[rosemarythyme]

do they like to whittle their beaks and nails down? Like how we file ours in a sense?

Yes, beaks and nails keep growing so it's helpful to have some hard objects available for them to do so - bricks, rocks, etc.