Regular sand ok as grit?

[D Moose]

Mine are small (probably less than 2 weeks) I gave meal worms yesterday. They need grit right? Is regular old common sand good enough? I take them outside everyday (weather permitting). Will they get their own grit by being outside for an hour or so? Is a little box of sand in their brooder enough and ok?

 

[packmomma]

I give mine dirt/sand. My yard has about a foot of top soil and then under that is sand. Every chick season I dig a hole in a part of the yard that doesnt get sprayed with anything. I dig until I reach some nice sandy dirt and scoop some into a container. Then when I make eggs or give them lettuce I just sprinkle dirt in. I dont leave dirt in their pen because they like to take baths in it and it gets all over. If they have been outside eating things I wouldnt worry about extra dirt when they come in and are just eating regular feed. I would just feed the worms outside and then let them stay out for a bit eating grass and such.

 

[Mak]

If they are outside they are most likely getting the grit they need. I do put a box of regular play sand in the brooder as well. They eat it and love to dust bathe in it! Of course, my brooder is in the basement which is only used for storage and the washer and dryer, so I don't really care about the dust. The shop vac takes care of it very nicely!

 

[juliette2009]

The sand is just fine for them!

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

For largefowl chicks any grit particle smaller than 3X the size od the head of a straight pin is useless.