OK, do I need to get grit?

not until they start eating other food....

 

Quote:They don't need grit until you start feeding treats as far as I know, they need it to break down Bugs and veggies and things. I just bought Cockatiel grit when I started feeding treats.

 

If you will be giving them treats or if they are going to eat grass, etc. then I would say yes.

If they will be in a coop or brooder with nothing to eat save the feed, then technically no, according to people's testimonials here on BYC.

But the McMurray website says at three days to offer grit sprinkled like salt.
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chickcare.html

I always keep my chickens in grit! I have three bags of grit in my garage: size #1, #2, and #3.

I also like to do it because I SEE them eating pine shavings. Ugh.

 

I have never used grit for my hens. I use sand.


But that won't be for a while with this batch of ladies since they are just 6 days old.

 

Quote:I don't even know if the grit will help them if they eat pine shavings. I just worry about them getting stopped up or something. Maybe I'm being silly!

 

Quote:In your location you should have a lot of granite around. It makes a difference what your soil is like, where you live. Around here the "rocks" are limestone which is soft, so I figure they need grit. In East TN I wouldn't buy grit, either.

 

I just posted the same thing today. I had mine on paper towels and everyone said after three days it was safe to remove the paper towels, so I did and they've had the best time scratching today. It's so cute. At the age of yours, I've been told they should know the food and not eat the wood chips.