Question about grit

[Dayrel]

You don't need it if they are a strictly prepared crumble/pellet diet, but it doesn't hurt to have the grit available all the time.

The reason crumbles/pellets don't require grit is that they naturally will dissolve into mush in water, which means they'll do the same in the chicken digestive system. No grit is needed to physically break it down and their digestive enzymes can do all the remaining work.

When you feed your chickens other foods (fruit, whole grains, grass, insects, worms, etc), their digestive systems need the additional help to physically break down those larger chunks of food. That is where the grit and gizzard handle the work that our teeth do.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

I offer grit right once they are in. Doesn’t hurt and I like to take mine out starting at a young age too... and if you want to give treats, then yeah just do it. I offer chick sizes grit and a container of dirt. Both work, they take what they need!

 

[ChickChickHorray]

Great, thanks so much everyone this has been really helpful! Ive seen a mosquito or two make the mistake of flying into the brooder and quickly regret it before being eaten, so we’ll definitely grab some chick grit! Thanks all!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Ive seen a mosquito or two make the mistake of flying into the brooder and quickly regret it before being eaten

 

[3riverschick]

There is a thread on BYC called, "the science of feeding grit to poultry". I wrote the article in the first 4 posts a while back. It explains the "why" behind the scientific need for grit in poultry . The first four posts are educational and include a hot link to the bibliography behind the article . also, in post number 4 is a hot link to a PDF brochure by the North Carolina Granite Company. Makers of granite poultry grit since 1935. On the second page of the brochure is a schedule for what size grit to feed your birds at what age. Best Regards ,
Karen and the Light Sussex in Western Pennsylvania

 

[Dayrel]

Great, thanks so much everyone this has been really helpful!

No problem. I was asking those exact same questions a year ago. Chicken owners on this site are happy to help the newbies.

 

[ChickChickHorray]

No problem. I was asking those exact same questions a year ago. Chicken owners on this site are happy to help the newbies.

Everyone so far has been helpful and pretty cheerful! We’re learning so much!

 

[Taylorbrood]

I just put a small water or milk cap in the brooder with chick grit in it, if they eat it fine, if not fine but I also don't feed treats to the babies, my big girls get a couple mealworms as part of our bed time routine. Learned alot from the first batch, they tipped, dumped and pooped in everything.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

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[4 ever Orpington]

Hello all! Newbie chicken keeper here. Our chicks are going on three weeks old, they’re living indoors in the brooder and are on the starter feed. The guy at our feed store said that at three weeks, they’re still too young for grit and that their breaks aren’t strong enough to handle it. On the other hand, I have a book that says they should already be getting grit. So when should we start feeding these little ones grit? We’d like to start giving them treats and know they need grit for that as well. With two contradicting opinions, what do you all do?

Yes to grit. They make chick grit while they’re young