Rooster issue

[BigBlueHen53]

Thank you for answering my question, I can’t feed an all flock because almost every one has wheat, barley or something with gluten. I can’t risk ingesting it, as feed is so dusty! And a few years ago I did exactly this. So currently I only have two choices. I have scoured sources and short of making my own feed I’m stuck. One is back ordered, (my favorite grower crumble) and the other is a layer feed.

Do you think i can stretch my current supply if I do a 2/1 ratio with the layer feed? 2 cups grower crumble 1 cup layer?

At risk of sounding corny, I have all my eggs in one basket, and I’m getting worried. I have about 40lbs left for 9 chickens (bag and a 1/2)

I'm so sorry! I forgot about your gluten issues! I think your best bet is to talk to @U_Stormcrow, he's one of our best nutritional experts.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I found that one too! Haha! I’m looking. However she doesn’t say what kind of sand, and also added that she feeds grass clippings. The Sussex could potentially of over eaten the sand because of the fibrous nature of the grass clippings not grinding effectively in the gizzard. (and we also don’t know the age of the grass clippings)

I think this may be an issue of the wrong sand, with fibrous material causing the initial impaction.

That’s why I like studies, anecdotal leaves to many open ended questions, so there is almost know way to know.

I’ll keep researching. I always want best practice for my birds. But I’m coming up empty on this one.

The type of sand doesn't matter.

My birds on occasion get lawn clippings, & never had a problem digesting/grinding it up cuz I use actual grit.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So one more study - this is an older one, 1960… I couldn’t find a newer one. The breakdown of the findings in small (sand particles) to larger (pebble sized) grit was that the smaller particles were ingested at a higher rate, improved absorption of food and cockerels had better weight gain. There is a chart on P.55 of the comparisons of grit treatment, consumption and body weight / gain.

https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjas60-010

Click on the link for the .pdf after the abstract if this doesn’t work.

Have any recent studies? This is from 1960.

Some old studies are good, but it's also good to have recent along with it to compare results if there's any in existence.

 

[sourland]

So one more study - this is an older one, 1960… work.

Practical experience 1941 to present time makes me conclude this is BS.

I’ll keep researching. I always want best practice for my birds. But I’m coming up empty on this one.

Why not give 'real' grit a try?

 

[The Good Grumble]

Practical experience 1941 to present time makes me conclude this is BS.

Why not give 'real' grit a try?

I have grit, they don’t eat it, and based on everything I’ve read - (studies not anecdotal) they don’t need it because their environment provides what they need. It wasn’t my original question. But I did go into a bit of a rabbit hole after a suggestion for it. I live on a sand pit, the girls and my guy have rough sand in their run. Lots of pebbly things. Most likely the reason they don’t touch the grit. I’m a stem girl. Science matters. My chickens have zero issues with crop, elimination and overall general health. My question related to what I can feed my rooster. If layer feed was an ok substitute based on that he picks at the oyster shells. After comments here that led me down more of the research road I’m figuring that out.

 

[The Good Grumble]

Practical experience 1941 to present time makes me conclude this is BS.

Why not give 'real' grit a try?

Did you even read it, or just assume it’s BS? In all fairness I’m reading comments from everyone and it’s helping me immensely. But I guess maybe you could have scrolled on by without comment if you weren’t willing to read a published study. Sheesh.

 

[The Good Grumble]

Have any recent studies? This is from 1960.

Some old studies are good, but it's also good to have recent along with it to compare results if there's any in existence.

I’ve looked! (I have a research database at my fingertips) but all I can find is that this study is referenced, but not redone. Usually that means is that if further studies were done it was to negate that study. So if someone tried, and had the same results it wouldn’t be published. It’s all fascinating to me. So it’s been a lot of fun. Thank you for an open discussion, it’s very much appreciated.

 

[The Good Grumble]

The type of sand doesn't matter.

My birds on occasion get lawn clippings, & never had a problem digesting/grinding it up cuz I use actual grit.

It actually does, so playsand -super bad. Because like you’ve commented prior it’s very fine, powdery. There were some other reasons as well. Impaction wasn’t one. But it’s not safe in general so I don’t need to go down that path, and I do offer my chickens grit. They just don’t touch it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

do offer my chickens grit. They just don’t touch it.

I believe you've said you offer your chickens chick grit, for baby chicks. A couple of people have recommrnded regular poultry grit, which is coarser, for adult chickens. If you have offered your chickens that, I have not seen where you've said you've offered that. Once they're adults, they won't eat the baby grade grit. They need the adult grit. Also, it's really hard to tell if they're actually taking grit, as the level of grit in the dish goes down exceedingly slowly. If you are using adult, coarse grit, I would not assume they are not taking it. Keep it available. They'll take what they need.

 

[The Good Grumble]

I believe you've said you offer your chickens chick grit, for baby chicks. A couple of people have recommrnded regular poultry grit, which is coarser, for adult chickens. If you have offered your chickens that, I have not seen where you've said you've offered that. Once they're adults, they won't eat the baby grade grit. They need the adult grit. Also, it's really hard to tell if they're actually taking grit, as the level of grit in the dish goes down exceedingly slowly. If you are using adult, coarse grit, I would not assume they are not taking it. Keep it available. They'll take what they need.

Grit isn’t the issue. The pullet dont eat it either, and no one has eaten it, even as chicks. It was a waste of money in my opinion as their environment provide exactly what they need. I find this issue interesting as my mom is 76 years old, I was raised on a farm (I’m 52) she has had chickens for her entire life. And has never offered grit. Not a thing in her world. She’s never had bumblefoot, sour crop, impacted crop. She culled a bird a couple years ago because she was an egg eater, and she culls old age.

I need to sort my food. Not the grit. I’m happy to have jovial discourse, but most of you think it’s a grit issue and based on my flock and my research this isn’t the case. I’m happy to be convinced otherwise if there is reputable information though! I don’t think chickens really care what size the grit is they’re offered. I haven’t met a grit connoisseur in my flocks over the years. I’m fairly certain it’s because they just get what they need without supplemental grit.

If that were the issue the babes would be eating the grit, and they don’t eat the oyster shells either. They’re all on coarse sand in the run and free range every day.