Starter Feed & Grit

[Irish6425]

My girls are approx 5 weeks old and are on starter feed but they free range about 6-8hrs a day. Do I need to be providing grit for them? If so, what is the best way to distribute it?

Opinions on grit vs. oyster shell?

 

[Fred's Hens]

First, they likely get grit from nature. They pick up sand, pebbles and so forth when they wander about the yard. If you want, you can buy a sack of rocks, called grit. It is finely crushed granite. Personally, we never do as our yard and property is filled with sand and gravel.

Oyster shell is not grit. It's purpose is provide a calcium supplement to laying hens.

 

[linseylew4409]

I have the same question. Mine are 6 weeks old. I put some chick grit in their food. I'm not sure if they ate it or just kicked it around.

 

[Chicks on DL]

Definitely no oyster shell until they are laying. I let mine free range a little at that age but they still mostly ate the feed. I did not give them grit and they seemed to do fine. Once they were off starter and eating my homemade feed I started offering them grit and so far they are doing great. They are eating less homemade feed these days because we have a compost pile that is done composting so we left it out and they have been having a blast going through the pile.

 

[Irish6425]

Thank you for the clarification on grit vs. oyster shell. I will buy some grit to spread in the backyard to make sure they are getting enough.