New chicks

[Carters Chick House]

When do I offer oyster shell and grit? Do they need both?

 

[DobieLover]

They only need grit in a separate container when they start eating anything other than starter.
Oyster shell is only offered to laying birds so that can go out in another container at around 16 weeks to get them interested in it.

 

[Huntmaster]

When do I offer oyster shell and grit? Do they need both?

I offer appropriate size chick grit right away, just sprinkle a little around feeder so they can't over gorge themselves on it until they know what it is, and it's not feed. Grit is how they grind their feed in their gizzards and all poultry need it for life if feeding anything but processed chicken feed. Some can get it on there own /free range depending on soils if not it needs to be offered full time. Oyster shell when they start to lay. Oyster shells replace calcium that making shells for their eggs depletes. Some put hens on layer feed when starting to lay and they shouldn't need oyster shell if feeding layer feed. Layer feed should have all the calcium they need. Others feed all flock/flock raiser and oyster shell on the side. Having roosters or a mixed flock is biggest reason for all flock and oyster shell on the side as roosters and other none laying birds don't need the extra calcium and can do damage to their systems. Other reason is all flock will usually have a higher protein % than layer feed and some like that.