Natural soil as grit?

[MrsBachbach]

I live in the southern Colorado Rockies, the soil here is very sandy & gritty. Can I use this natural soil as grit and/or for dust baths for the chicks?

I've bought the Hartz parakeet grit for chicks before. After they are a few weeks old, I get the chick size grit.

 

[3riverschick]

Stop using g sand for chicks. History shows it is too small and to soluable for the gizzard. It's not about what the chick can survive on. It's about what the chick will thrive on. These first three weeks are so important. In poultry it sets the stage for performance for the rest of the bird's life. Yup, what happens then will determine rate of lay and weight at processing. This is why the international poultry industry is working so hard to research better ways of enhancing the life of the early chick.

 

[3riverschick]

The right size grit at the right age develops a stronger and larger and healthier gizzard. You probably won't see any outward signs this is happening
I think this may be why folks think there is no difference in effects between grit types. It's all happening inside the bird and the raiser will see the advantages after the bird is grown. More weight for the table and up to 20 percent more eggs per bird.

 

[barred2rock]

Stop using g sand for chicks. History shows it is too small and to soluable for the gizzard. It's not about what the chick can survive on. It's about what the chick will thrive on. These first three weeks are so important. In poultry it sets the stage for performance for the rest of the bird's life. Yup, what happens then will determine rate of lay and weight at processing. This is why the international poultry industry is working so hard to research better ways of enhancing the life of the early chick.

Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles. Is that not what grit is? Sand isn't only the tinny material found on beaches. The material in my post above is indeed sand as well as grit, but has little resemblance to beach sand. I think we're just defining "sand" differently.

 

[snow5164]

Stop using g sand for chicks. History shows it is too small and to soluable for the gizzard. It's not about what the chick can survive on. It's about what the chick will thrive on. These first three weeks are so important. In poultry it sets the stage for performance for the rest of the bird's life. Yup, what happens then will determine rate of lay and weight at processing. This is why the international poultry industry is working so hard to research better ways of enhancing the life of the early chick.

I know you feel very strongly about this , but you need to realize that " sand " comes in many sizes. I've seen that grit chart , I've read the things you say , I get it!!! But highway sand for example is the exact thing chicks and chickens can use for grit.

I just looked up my invoice it's actually called " highway gravel", maybe that sounds better

 

[aart]

Quote: The terms 'sand' and 'gravel' are highly subjective.
Maybe post a nice pic of what you are talking about like the OP here did (see quote below),
a coin in pic would have been nicer, but it sure saved a lot of wasted words and ruffled feathers.

I found the following in a large ant hill (no ants) on my property. Would they work and be safe for my chicks? I have a life time supply, if they will. Lol

 

[snow5164]

This is what I use for the youngsters.
Highway gravel and store bought chick grit. I have granite grit outside for the big girls but it's -23 and I'm not going out

 

[3riverschick]

I hope I am not ruffling feathers. It's just that these first weeks are so important and what we feed the chicks does make a difference. So why not feed them granite grit? We spend hundreds on the coop and supplies. More on researching birds and obtaining them. Feed special feeds and vitamins , etc. Most places sell a 50 lb . Bag of granite grit for less than 8 dollars. One only needs 3 sizes. Cheap supplement . That's about 25 dollars to help insure better health and up to 20 percent more eggs per hen.
If no one gets it by now, I guess I am just spitting into the wind.

 

[snow5164]

I actually can only get granit grit in one size. We tried to crush it smaller for our first batch then bought grit from the pet store ,

Now we're completely satisfied with the rough or mason sand / highway gravel or whatever. It's in the coops, poop boards and the brooder .They also get chick grit til they are outside and get the granit grit .

I don't think there is only one way to do this and many have suggested course sand is sufficient,

I'm done with this discussion, didn't expect or need approval. We raise many different animals and have heard a million opinions in the end , I'll raise mine the way I see fit, and you raise yours .Sharing ideas and not agreeing needs to be ok.
Thanks for your advice , all who shared

 

[3riverschick]

Agree to disagree.