Play sand won't choke my chicks???

[Qi Chicken]

I have searched everywhere and there is not chick grit around here.

I got play sand but sifted out all the small pebbles. They eat it.

I have read that play sand is too fine but the guy showed me the #2 grit for big chickens and some of the chunks in my play sand are at least that big. I really don't want them to choke and die.

Are you SURE playsand (unsifted) will be ok? I want to start giving them more treats and I've actually given them some grapes and cheerios. They hated both but LOVE LOVE LOVE hard boiled egg.

Any advice will be appreciated!

 

[CorralitosSunflower]

I wouldn't worry to much about it, my chicks have got some pretty big items down their throuts dispite my unease

I don't give my chicks grit at all. I do however take them out on warm days and they get to scratch around and eat dirt. I make sure only to give them treats when they have had decent access to the dirt. You could probably just put a dish of relatively clean dirt in their brooder. I don't know what the chicken experts would say, but it seems pretty natural to me and I haven't had any problems....

 

[bakerjw]

A number of people boil the sand to kill any bacteria or parasites that may be in it. But when our girls get into the yard all bets are off and they munch dirt if they can find it.

I picked up some parakeet grit from WalMart. Any store with pet supplies should have that.