Oyster shells or regular grit?

[pretty_chicken]

I'm a little confused.... do the oyster shells provide some necessary calcium for new chicks? Or does it act just as a grit. I have some regular stone grit that I give to my adults, but it kinda looks like it's too big for them? Also, any tricks for giving my chicks a good headstart? I think I'm gonna give them some vitamin drops, but is there anything else? Should I buy medicated feed? Sorry for all the questions, but thanks for any help you can give!!!

 

[scbatz33]

oyster shells are only for adult laying hens to help replenish calcium lost in forming eggs. It's not good for little chicks. You can get "chick grit" at places like TSC that is smaller and designed for them.

Medicated feed is a personal preference. I don't feed it. Others do.

A proper ration of chick starter with the correct protien level for their age is the best thing you can do for them. Give them all they can eat and watch them grow!

 

[chicmom]

Hello there!

Crushed oyster shells should not be supplied to chicks because the get all the nutrition they need in the chick starter/grower food. It can actually cause them problems if they get too much calcium. You can buy chick grit, which is usually crushed granite, and that works great. If your chicks are eating JUST the chick starter/grower, then they don't need any grit, but once you start giving them different treats and such, then they will need some chick grit.

Medicated feed is usually only fed to chicks during their first two weeks of life. I have never used it, only because the feed store didn't have it, and my chicks did just fine.

 

[Kittymomma]

No oyster shell for chicks. Oyster shell is used so that laying hens can take in extra calcium when they need it. Chicks don't need the extra calcium and it can actually hurt them. You can get chick grit at the feed store, it's much finer then reg. grit and will work well for them.

Medicated feed is used to help prevent cocci, not everyone uses it and it doesn't always work. If you don't use the medicated feed make sure that whatever you're feeding them is around 22% protien. I would also suggest having some corid on hand in case of a cocci outbreak--actually I'd suggest that even if you use the medicated feed. As far as the vitamins go I don't use them, as long as they are on a quality feed they shouldn't need them, but if it makes you feel better I don't think it will hurt anything as long as you make sure to get the kind WITHOUT Iron. Enjoy your new fuzzy butts!

 

[triggfamily5]

Oyster shells are for calcium, and it's not good for your babies. They shouldn't have the xtra calcium until they start laying eggs.

All they need is their starter/grower feed and fresh water (maybe some ACV in it?), heat and love..

I don't use medicated feed for my chicks. I do introduce grit (contractors sand) when I start giving them treats (anything other than their starter feed) such as oatmeal. Due to my area, I also introduce grit if they go outside on a field trip. I only use contractors sand because the feed stores around here only sell one size of grit and it's an arm and a leg for a little bag of it...

 

[BuffaloWings]

Agree with previous poster. Oyster shells are for adult chickens. Oyster shells and grit are for two different things.

Oyster shells: replenish calcium, make egg shells harder and better quality.

Grit: function as the chickens teeth to grid food.

There is a chick grit out there if you decide your chicks need it. If they are on chick starter crumbles they really don't need it. Some have suggested adults on only layer crumbles don't need it either. One thing I have heard is to place your grit in a "shaker" container and sprinkle their food with it like you would salt yours. I have tried and it always worked for me. From an adult chicken standpoint I would offer both grit and oyster shell free choice in their own dispenser/feeder.

 

[mypicklebird]

I agree with all of the below, but would add that you do not really need to give vitamins in the water either if you are using a good quality chick start. If they had a rough ship or are acting ill- some vitamins would not hurt, but it is like vitamins and children in general if they are eating a balanced and healthy diet, they do not *need* vitamins. Medicated start contains an ingredient that inhibits coccidia. If you have coccidia in your soil, medicated feed is useful in keeping them from getting sick when they are first exposed to it. So medicated is typically given prior to exposure and a few weeks afterwards. You don't really have any way to know if you have coccidia in your soil unless you get ill birds when you first put them out, or test some healthy ones that are all ready immune and see if they are passing cocci in their feces.

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[pretty_chicken]

Oh thank you everyone! I'm glad I did't listen to the lady at the sales counter! She tried to talk me into oyster shells, and I was like.... Ummmm, I don't think so? But is sounds like I'm doing everything else right. I'm just a little paranoid that I'm not doing enough for them. Thanks again!

 

[Jeeper1540]

when they are adults, both. i feed them both

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Keep in mind now and forever, that most people in feed and farm supply stores are hired for their retail experience, not knowledge of the products they sell. Not that they are dumb, just not their field of expertise. They might learn more about it as time goes on, but turnover is often high in such jobs.

Don't worry, sounds like you are doing great!