Parakeet grit for chicks?

[MareeZoCool]

When I got my chicks last June, I used parakeet grit , my chicks did fine!

 

[1newchickontheblock]

I discovered an old sand pile behind my shed - I throw a scoop in their brooder (4 weeks old Monday), and they go CRAZY for it - their favorite "treat" by far. I've seen postings where people boil sand to purify, but really - is that necessary?? They are birds, after all...

 

[JLS]

I use all purpose sand (at Lowes $2.34 for 50lbs) as their grit and they also use it to dust bathe in.

 

[Kaugomu]

Quote:
Ditto

I've read this a couple places so that's what I bought, but I just looked and it has added calcium. Does Walmart sell one without the added calcium, or did you use the one with and still not have issues? Also, at what age did you start offering it to them, maybe that can contribute to if there are issues or not?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Ditto

I've read this a couple places so that's what I bought, but I just looked and it has added calcium. Does Walmart sell one without the added calcium, or did you use the one with and still not have issues? Also, at what age did you start offering it to them, maybe that can contribute to if there are issues or not?

A long time ago, when I first got chickens, I found some without the added calcium at walmart. Keep in mind that parakeet males don't need the extra calcium either. Now our walmart has been remodeled and they carry less selection than they once did; so finding the "without" grit is hit and miss.

I started offering grit to my first flock of chickens at 2 weeks old, when I started offering treats that required "chewing". A few days later I started letting them go outside and they found their own "grit", so I never offered it again. I think I still have that old box of grit laying around here somewhere.

 

[cmom]

I buy granite chick grit from Tractor Supply.

 

[Chick Norris]

Ditto on the granite.

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[Anianna]

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Birds are still susceptible to parasites and disease. I wouldn't sterilize store-bought bags or native soil. I might with a discovered sand pile if I didn't know where it came from or what it had been used for, though.

 

[Pele]

Parakeet grit is perfectly fine. Many people will caution you about calcium, but to be honest, I've never had a problem with any of my batches I've fed it to. I think it has to do with the fact that the chicks don't eat much grit, just what they need. (unless they're a day old, then they try to eat their own toes, the bedding, the walls... silly things)

I would avoid anything from outside unless you are giving them medicated feed. Cocci infections come from contaminated soil, and pretty much any soil outside is contaminated.