sand vs. grit for chicks (3 week old chicks)

[lorain's fids]

My chicks will be 3 weeks this Wednesday. I would like to start giving them some sand/ or grit. I had asked at Agway and was told that the grit they sold was to big for them. I bought sand, but it is" washed play sand" ( I have no clue as to what washed sand means). Is that to fine to give them, or should I just get a regular bag of sand? My intentions for giving them sand/grit is that I want to put them in a pen to play in the grass while I am outside with them, so I was figuring if they eat a bug or something they would need sand/grit. Also since they are turning 3 weeks, I figured I'd incorporate some fruits and veggies into their diet.
I am new to having chickens, and have a million questions on raising them, but I figure I am doing something right because all 6 of the girls seem happy, they run around, play and they keep growing -LOL!!!

 

[turbodog]

Your right, if they are going to be eatin bugs and grass they will be needing grit.
My chicks get plain ol river sand. I think construction sand would be the equivalent if I was having to buy some.
I think I've read that some folks consider "play sand" to be too fine.

 

[dianaross77]

Even the play sand has tiny rocks in it. I strained some out of dd's sandbox for our ducklings. There are always smaller pieces of grit in the bags for adult chickens. I used a colander to sift out smaller pieces for our chicks.

 

[ninabeast]

My chicks ate washed play sand (it was the litter of the brooder) from the age of one week and they're all doing great at 13 weeks.