Newbie question: What is grit?

[SunValleyChicks]

I have been reading that my chickens (6 month old laying hens) need grit and the oyster shell/dual purpose feed. I give them the dual purpose every day and they also have a feeder full of high protein chick starter mixed with chicken scratch (corn/seeds, etc) Do they also need Grit? What is it and is it something I have to do...? They free range every day all over our 2.5 acre property after they've laid their eggs for the morning....Thanks!

 

[HEChicken]

If they are free-ranging, they probably don't need supplemental grit. Grit is small stones that they keep in the gizzard and use to grind up the food (they don't have teeth, so swallow the food whole). Birds that are kept penned all the time need supplemental grit because they cannot find it naturally. But free range birds will find small pebbles to swallow and shouldn't need extra grit provided.

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

If they free range, they already have access to "grit" or small pebbles, etc. You might consider putting them out some crushed oyster shell in a separate dish that they can take if they like. It helps with the quality of the egg shells for the layers.

 

[SunValleyChicks]

Thank you! Yes, they have access to all sorts of things in the yard, didn't think of them picking up the stones they needed. They have the oyster shell ground into their dual purpose feed dish...so they should be great. Thank you for the info!

 

[muddler6]

I catch mine stealing the gravel from the driveway all the time. When I have the little ones in the brooder, I mix a little grit with their feed, just to help get them started, even though it probably isn't necessary, after that it is just an extra expense that they don't need. I suppose if someone kept them confined to raised pens they would need to add grit to their environment.

 

[Loco Gringo]

I bring home a 5 gal bucket of lime sand and they love it. River sand works for me when Im in a pinch, otherwise I give em a few hours to roam.