Oyster shells

[sowellj]

Can you use oyster shells instead of grit? No one around here carries grit. I would be using it for chicks and ducklilngs.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

can you find some red granite or very small pebbles in the drive. That does the same thing. I just let mine out to free range and they get the grit themselves. I never give them grit. I don't think that oyster shell would do the same thing grit does. Not sure tho.

 

[Domestic_goddess]

I would let them out to free range if possible as hangin wit my peeps said. I know oyster shells are used for better egg development, gives them the calcium they did.

Edited for spelling!

 

[sowellj]

When can you let them out? They were born this morning. It has been chilly here and damp. North Florida.

 

[kathyinmo]

Oh no, can't replace grit with oyster shells. Oyster shells are only for layers. They have way to much calcium for chicks. Check in the pet dept at walmart or the like. I think they have grit there.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

If they were just hatched this morning I wouldn't feed grit just yet. I usually wait until they're about a week old.

For young chicks go to your local pet store and buy a box or bag of grit for parakeets or canaries. Sprinkle it on their feed like you were salting it. You won't need a lot.

If you're not going to feed whole or coarsely ground grain, green feed, or anything else that is not finely ground then you don't need grit at all.

.....Alan.

 

[addy8]

Walmart, Kmart, CVS, Eckerd's, Walgreen's, grocery stores, and even some dollar stores (at least around here in S.C.) all carry parakeet grit. The Hartz brand is called "Gravel n' Grit" and its fine for chicks, especially if you have itty-bitty bantams and Seramas. You may need to put it in a seperate container from their food, as its light and small enough to sift down to the bottom of the food dish and get missed.

 

[sowellj]

Thanks for information. I found some at Walmart today.

 

[noitulover]

oyster shells are not the same as grit. the reason you use grit is to let them collect insoluble materials that they use to crush and grind up the tougher and larger pieces of food they have ingested.

oyster shells are used for extra calcium for laying hens. oyster shells are soft, and are soluble. they will not grind up the food in the crop. also, that much calcium is dangerous for chicks. too much calcium will cause permanent damage to their internal organs or death.