Question Regardig Grit and Chicks

[rookie39]

Hey, chicken world ifirst time posting need advice I have 8 chicks 6 are over 2 weeks old the other two are a week old growing fast.
Do I have to feed grit if I have a pan of dirt in there brooder theses guys are already taking dust baths. I have only feed them worms and mealworms, is this ok? and of course mash and starter.Should I be giving them grit? HELP!

 

[Aacre]

Since you are feeding them food besides chick starter you do need to provide grit for them to help them digest the meal worms and such.

 

[Sandstorm495]

Hey, chicken world ifirst time posting need advice I have 8 chicks 6 are over 2 weeks old the other two are a week old growing fast.
Do I have to feed grit if I have a pan of dirt in there brooder theses guys are already taking dust baths. I have only feed them worms and mealworms, is this ok? and of course mash and starter.Should I be giving them grit? HELP!

You're doing a great job. There's no need to worry, but yes they do need some grit. Mealworms and worms are also great treats, so you're doing fine. Good luck and ask if you need any more help!

 

[rookie39]

Thanks for the advice I appreiciate it. I got a liitle worried I messed my (family) birds up. So many different opinions on how eveyone goes about it it makes a rookie start to question himself. Initially I got the birds for eggs and my kids. I didnt think a 39 yr old man would be enjoying them just as much as the kids IF not more,LOL Each one has a different personality. My kids named them all, 2 barred rocks named Midnight, and Sparks, 2 golden sex links Goldie and Grace, 2 silver laced wyandotte Diamond and Rocky, 2 black sex links Catness and Crackle. LOL cute kids. anyways thanks for the feedback I would hate to do any harm to the new addition to the family. They will be spoiled. Enjoy chicken world till next time

 

[rookie39]

And yes there is grit in the brooder

 

[Aacre]

Wonderful names for your chickens! Who would have thought that a chicken could bring a person so much joy? Well- if you never had them before and didn't know anything about them.. Everyone here can tell you all about it!
My husband is the one who wanted chickens to begin with, and so one day when the opportunity came around and he got some free chickens, he got them home and I wasn't too happy about it at all! 3 and a half years later (now), I'm more obsessed with them than he could ever dream of being!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The dirt might not be of sufficient size particles to qualify as grit. #1 chick grit is about 1/16" and is for the first 3 weeks of life, then they need larger grit.
Unless the only feed they're getting is mash (not the same as crumbles), the need grit and even then adding grit helps develop the gizzard.
If the grit is too small, it won't lodge in the gizzard but pass right through and won't serve any useful purpose.