ok i need some straight answers about ages, layer, grit, and scratch!

[sangel4you]

So my pullets are nearly 10 weeks old. They are still getting starter and I planned on feeding that until they start laying, then switching to layer. Right now they dont get table food except the neighbor gives them cracked corn that they DEVOUR.
My questions are what is grit vs scratch? How is it best to supplement either if needed? What ages do they get that? What about oyster shell, do they HAVE to have that, and where can you find it because our feed stores dont have it. Are all of these things neccesary? They do not free range and currently their feed is mixed with a small amt of DE, and some parakeet grti(all I could find) but they do occasionally get sand when I put the dust bath out. Can they overdo it on the grit? I'm afraid they will impact their crops. But I don't want to have 5 things of differnet feed around either...? And my neighbors gives them the cracked corn that she feeds some of her other animals, if I give them some of that with their feed, where can I find it? Is it the same thing as deer corn becuase I know we have that at our walmart... sorry for all the dumb questions, I think that's all for now but I just realized the girls are growing up and I soon need to consider all this! Also the layer they will probably get is crumbles, does it make any difference if they're crumbles or pellets?

 

[gritsar]

Chickens need grit to digest their food. Scratch your chickens will love, but it's not necessary. Consider it chicken candy.
They will need oyster shell or some type of calcium supplement once they are laying.
I don't offer grit because my chickens free range, but if I did need to offer it I would do so seperately; not in the same feeder with their feed.
Layer feed when @ 18 to 20 weeks or when you get your first egg. Crumbles or pellets, doesn't matter. I just find much less waste with pellets.

 

[Mahlzeit]

As already stated grit is what helps them grind up their food. Scratch is a treat for the chickens. The grit is only needed if they are getting treats. Like the cracked corn your neighbor is giving them or any kind of greens. They will not overdue the grit. They take what they need. Mine are all out on dirt and grass so they find their own grit. Cracked corn is the same as deer corn except deer corn is whole and not cracked it may be too big for them. I personally don't give my hens any oyster shells. The layer pellets have enough calcium in them I have no problem with soft shells. I also can't get the oyster shells here the feed store gave me this bag of something else instead and the hens wanted nothing to do with it so I just do without. Has been working fine for years. The only difference really between layer pellets and crumbles is waste. With the pellets there is less waste if some do fall to the ground they eat them right up. Hope this helps.

 

[gritsar]

Also, since my layer feed has some calcium in it I decided to try to do without the oyster shell to see what would happen. I wasn't pleased. The eggshells were solid, but noticably thinner than when I was supplementing with the OS.
Now they're back on the OS. Really inexpensive. I bought a 50# bag for $8 and have barely made a dent in it in 3 months time.

 

[sangel4you]

Thank you Mahlzeit!

Gritstar thank you as well! Anywhere you reccomend getting OS if I decide I do need it when the time comes?

Is the parakeet grit I've been giving them ok, or would I be better off just letting their dustbath bucket in all the time with the sand in it?

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

Quote:
ANSWER GLH
no the crumbles are fine most chickens like it better than pellets
so just keep them happy with grit and oyster shell
Email me with any questions GLH

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I bought my oyster shell at the farmer's co-op. Stores like tractor supply only offered it in small bags that were alot more expensive. At the co-op I can buy it in any amount, 1# and up.
Parakeet grit was my chick's first grit before they started running around in the yard and finding their own small stones. At 10 weeks old, your girls are ready for a bigger grit if you can find it.

 

[sangel4you]

I think they have bigger grit at the TS and I may just have to see if they have oyster shell in the smaller bags for now until I find somewhere that I get more cheaper...I had to do that with the DE as well...as many chicken farmers as there are in my area, there arent many resources for them!

ok so I just found this http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_48676_-1______14602%7C16201%7C48676?listingPage=true&Special=false
on the TS website, and it says it has calcium in it...? still need oyster shell?

 

[Chris09]

I was told some time ago by a breeder of of some of the best RIR's
in the US that if your chickens are on a peleted or a crumbled feed or on the ground you do not need grit. It is only when you start adding hard grain to there feed you need to add grit.. As far as oyster shell he said if you are hatching the eggs no need for them eather there is calcium all ready in all good breeder feeds. Why would you want to make the shell harder for your chicks to get out of.. Now with that said I have had chickens for around 30 years now all Show and Exhibition quality and I never feed grit or oyster shells. My bird eat 28% pro. starter from 0-5 weeks 20% pro. grower 6-laying as soon as they are laying eggs they go on a 18% breeder pellet and some scratch grain. All my birds are healthy..