Over 2 weeks old, what now?

[Naz223]

My chickies are over 2 weeks old now. They spend time outside and are starting to love treats, meal worms are their favorite. If they spend some time scratching around outdoors, do I need to still buy chick grit?

 

[PorterPack]

Cute babies you have there!! I loved the 2week old stage. Mine are almost 5 weeks old now, and I can't believe the difference just a few weeks makes. I'll be putting mine out in the coop/run in a couple more weeks, and I have the same question you do....will my girls find grit in their run, or should I throw some in there for them?? Hopefully someone with more knowledge on this will chime in. Best wishes!!!

 

[Blooie]

I have a tendency to do a little overkill at times. Providing grit is one of those times. Chick grit doesn't cost much, and it doesn't take much. So despite my chicks having been brooded out in the dirt run from day one, I still keep a little grit in a shallow hanging container. My Littles are outside with the Bigs so they are constantly scratching in the dirt and nibbling on what they find, which I'm sure includes some grit-like stuff. But just in case, I like to have a little on hand. If they want it, they'll take it. If not, what am I out?

 

[newmarch2014]

I have a really rocky/pebbly soil and my chickens free range out of the run every few days so I do not provide any grit. BUT if my chickens never left the run I would provide it since my run is mostly soft compost material (the compost bins are located inside the run) so there is very little pebble like material to be found in the run. I am always in favor of over cautiousness.

 

[SJchickens]

Chickens find grit in the soil. No need to supply them with chick grit. The time when you DO supply them with chick grit is when you give them treats such as lettuce in the brooder. They have no grit in the brooder so they don't have anything to grind their food up with. I always sprinkle some chick grit on their food when they are in their brooder. I personally think it's a good thing for them, but once they are outside, they don't need grit because there is plenty of it in the soil.