Not eating their grit

[DaveMK]

We’ve had our first 2 chickens since November. They’re doing extremely well, and both lay every day since winter solstice.
However, they don’t seem to be eating the grit that I leave out for them. It’s proper shop bought hen grit. Is this a problem?

Also, when inspecting the coop and run lid yesterday, I spotted quite a few large mosquitos and smaller flies. Is this a problem?

The hens have access to a dust bath with DE to prevent mites.

Thanks

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Does your run have as solid bottom like a concrete pad or is it on the ground where they can scratch around in the dirt? If chickens have access to the ground where they can scratch around in the dirt they will find small pebbles to use as grit and ignore a bowl of grit. The only time I buy grit is when I have chicks.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If birds have access to the ground they typically don't need grit. Small stones are in the ground and they just use those. Stones are not passed through very fast so they really don't need many of them to aid in grinding up scraps or what they forage for feed. Chicken feed itself doesn't even require grit to be digested by the bird. Grit is one of those over rated "necessities". Stones are in the ground and chickens like to scratch for them and make dust baths. Grit is for the non chicken feed they eat.

DE or wood ash deter mites and lice. If your birds ever get infested neither will cure them. I inspect my birds maybe once per year. Every two or three years it seems I have to spray them and coop with permethrin. I use wood ash in an old metal wash basin for them to bath in during winter. They prefer the holes they've made under shrubs in the summer.

 

[DaveMK]

Chickens need two kinds of grit; granite grit which helps them digest there food (what we use our teeth for) and calcium grit which is often made from oyster shells, but can also be limestone, for egg laying.
Which kind have you got?

I have granite grit and throw crushed eggshells for calcium.

 

[DaveMK]

I didn't think of eggshells, but I believe they are good for calcium too.
My chickens have never wanted to eat their granite grit that I gave them, but when I have butchered them they always have a good about of grit in them.
I think they are just getting the naturally occurring stuff from the ground. I wouldn't worry too much, as long as it is there, I think they will get it if they need it.
If they didn't eat calcium grit, and didn't get any from other sources (like the eggshells and many feeds) that would be more of a concern.

Thanks. I’m not worried about the issue anymore.

 

[theoldchick]

Mine don't eat much grit either. I try to control mosquitos by keeping the water containers clean and using spray around the coop and barn. You can also use fly traps to help keep the fly population in control I also clean remove the poop from the ground and keep the poop boards clean.

 

[aart]

Digestive granite grit or oyster shell grit for calcium?

Also, when inspecting the coop and run lid yesterday, I spotted quite a few large mosquitos and smaller flies. Is this a problem?

I normally use nipple waterers, but added water containers due to the nipples being frozen due to weather.

Maybe I misunderstand...but,
how can you have frozen nipples(which kind?) and mosquitoes at the same time?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[DaveMK]

Digestive granite grit or oyster shell grit for calcium?




Maybe I misunderstand...but,
how can you have frozen nipples(which kind?) and mosquitoes at the same time?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3390242

Digestive granite grit or oyster shell grit for calcium?




Maybe I misunderstand...but,
how can you have frozen nipples(which kind?) and mosquitoes at the same time?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3390242

I’m based in the UK.
I also thought it was too early for mosquitos, but I’m almost certain that’s what they are.

It’s not the nipples that have frozen, it’s the tubes that carry water from the water container to the nipples.

I’ll post pics of my coop in my profile in the near future.

 

[DaveMK]

If birds have access to the ground they typically don't need grit. Small stones are in the ground and they just use those. Stones are not passed through very fast so they really don't need many of them to aid in grinding up scraps or what they forage for feed. Chicken feed itself doesn't even require grit to be digested by the bird. Grit is one of those over rated "necessities". Stones are in the ground and chickens like to scratch for them and make dust baths. Grit is for the non chicken feed they eat.

DE or wood ash deter mites and lice. If your birds ever get infested neither will cure them. I inspect my birds maybe once per year. Every two or three years it seems I have to spray them and coop with permethrin. I use wood ash in an old metal wash basin for them to bath in during winter. They prefer the holes they've made under shrubs in the summer.

Thanks. My 2 hens don’t get much other than chicken feed. I throw weeds in when I have them, but hats about it.
Il give them an inspection for lice and mites. Thanks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They really don't take in a lot of grit most of the time. You can try sprinkling some on the ground, some birds prefer picking it up that way as they scratch around.