sand

[ingrid42]

My chicks are 8 weeks old. How much sand should I be giving them? I do give them corn, lettuce, strawberries and broccoli along with their feed.

 

[justusnak]

If possible, just make them a little sand box....like a cake pan....depending on thier size.

 

[doodledo]

WHat the sand for?

 

[BeckyLa]

The sand is grit that they use to help them digest food. Starter feed has some grit in it, but if feeding things other than starter, like treats, then they should have access to grit. I do what Justusnak mentioned, I put of pan of dirt and/or sand in the brooder from early on.

 

[dlhunicorn]

...I prefer the proper finegrade grit sold at petstores for birds or doves/pigeons instead of sand ... too much sand can cause crop problems for the occasional bird that pigs out on it and for older birds it is too fine and may cause gizzard impaction.