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Some grit questions

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by ksalerno, Mar 18, 2017.

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  1. Mar 18, 2017 #1
    ksalerno

    ksalerno New Egg

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    This is my first year with chicks. They're are currently about 3 1/2 weeks old. So far they have been solely eating chick starter. I want to start giving them the occasional veggie scrap or "treat".

    I have already purchased chick grit. But my question is should I just leave a small bowl of grit in their cage for them to use as they please? Should I sprinkle the veggie scrap with grit? Or should I just put some grit on a small bowl next to the veggie scraps and then remove when they're done with the veggies? Or just leave it in all the time? Seems like a silly question to me but I can't seem to find a clear answer. I just want to do what is right. Help!! Thank you.
     
  3. Mar 18, 2017 #2
    Cooper Gs Coop

    Cooper Gs Coop Out Of The Brooder

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    Mar 4, 2017
    Central New York
    From what I've seen from my chicks so far is that they will eat anything that I feed them and they'll gorge themselves. After researching, I sprinkle a very little bit on top of their food or add a pinch or two when I add food to their food bucket. I was told that my grit bag should last for quite a while, upwards to a year. This is our first year as well. My chicks were also about 3 weeks or so when I started adding a little grit to their food. Good luck with the chickens this year!!
     
  5. Mar 18, 2017 #3
    azygous

    azygous Chicken Obsessed

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    Sprinkling a tiny bit of grit over the treat will get your chicks started in kitting out their gizzards. After that first "taste", you may leave a container of the grit handy for them to find. I would use a heavy cat food bowl or something to that effect so they don't end up overturning it.

    Some of us brood on sand. This sand will have varied sizes of particles, (masonry sand) and the chicks will seek the size grit they need. Also, in lieu of store bought grit, you can dig up a clump of sod from your yard and place it in the brooder. This serves as grit and also will inoculate your chicks against local pathogens to strengthen their developing immune systems.

    Yes, you can expect the chicks to overdo it at first. If you make certain they have plenty of fresh water available, they will flush the excess through their systems, and no harm will come of it.
     
    1 person likes this.
  7. Mar 18, 2017 #4
    Cooper Gs Coop

    Cooper Gs Coop Out Of The Brooder

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    Mar 4, 2017
    Central New York
    Thank you very much. That is very helpful. Much more so than my local TSC worker lol.
     
  9. Mar 18, 2017 #5
    3riverschick

    3riverschick Poultry Lit Chaser

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    There are 3 different sizes of grit that chicks should have whilst they are growing. Go online and keyword search : Gran-i-grit PDF :. . the 2nd page of the flyer has a feeding schedule for the different sizes of grit.
    Best,
    Karen
     

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