Sand for grit? How?

[Eggscaping]

Going to the pet store is right out but we are sitting on a pile of rocks and sand (used to be dunes here). So my question is: Here are our 4 new baby chicks who are eating medicated baby chick starter, but we know we can't feed much of anything else (and yes, I'm aware that the starter has everything they need but we do want to offer them other things.) They aren't interested in scrambled eggs at all. We also want to put them out on dirt so they can cruise around and begin to build up immunities to our "local" dirt. But can we use sand as grit? What size? Do we microwave it first to sterilize it? So many questions!

 

[DobieLover]

Going to the pet store is right out but we are sitting on a pile of rocks and sand (used to be dunes here). So my question is: Here are our 4 new baby chicks who are eating medicated baby chick starter, but we know we can't feed much of anything else (and yes, I'm aware that the starter has everything they need but we do want to offer them other things.) They aren't interested in scrambled eggs at all. We also want to put them out on dirt so they can cruise around and begin to build up immunities to our "local" dirt. But can we use sand as grit? What size? Do we microwave it first to sterilize it? So many questions!

Let them scratch around in the soil and get their own grit.
Sand is too small to work for grit.
Sterilizing anything defeats the purpose of introducing them to their ultimate environment to build their immunity.

 

[TentativeHomesteader]

I have a basically identical question, so I'm glad to hear this! I'd better hurry up and fashion a little portable chicken tractor...

 

[Mtnboomer]

I have never given my chicks grit. If they are only on starter feed, grit isn't necessary unless you are determined to add treats or greens or when they move off of crumbles.
When that time comes, the particle size they need will be dependent upon age/size and feed. If you let them out and about in the yard, they will find the grit they need on their own.
Ours pick it from the gravel driveway.

 

[Mamatomany123]

So my chicks are a little older but I just let them scratch at the ground and find their own grit. I haven't provided grit since they were around 3 weeks. Theyll be 8 weeks soon. I have seen them pick up little rocks and eat them though so I know they are getting some, they also have empty soft crops in the morning. I would just let them do their thing. Chickens are pretty good at being chickens.