The Science Of Feeding Grit To Poultry

[CanadyCoop]

Thank you for this info. I have a questions tho. I've been searching for answers as to when to feed grit to my new chicks/pullets and this is the first info I've seen.
They have been on chick starter. Then at 5 or 6 weeks we were advised to put them on the "20% starter/grower". Apparently the grit wasn't in included in the starter feed.
Is it ok to start them on the grit for their age now even if they didn't get it before or do I start with the smallest grit and go larger?
Thanks

 

[3riverschick]

Absolutely start now , it's good for them they need it . see post 4 for the second page of the PDF file listed there. It has a feeding schedule it tells you what age to give them which size . It has feeding instructions for Broiler's or layers or turkeys. and you're good to go .
thank you

 

[barred2rock]

Thank you for this info. I have a questions tho. I've been searching for answers as to when to feed grit to my new chicks/pullets and this is the first info I've seen.
They have been on chick starter. Then at 5 or 6 weeks we were advised to put them on the "20% starter/grower". Apparently the grit wasn't in included in the starter feed.
Is it ok to start them on the grit for their age now even if they didn't get it before or do I start with the smallest grit and go larger? 
Thanks

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe chick starter and starter/grower are the same thing. I started my chicks on grit at one week old. A week or there after should be fine to start them on appropriate size grit.

 

[CanadyCoop]

Thank you barred2rock. Well not the same according to the feed n seed store as well as TSC and they upgraded me to starter/grower at 5 or 6 weeks. Idk. I used to raise egg layers like 15 years ago but never gave them grit. They were free range. But now I live in the city with coop requirements so I've been told I need the grit

 

[carltoncalley]

Hi, new here. I've read through a lot of this and may have missed it if it was brought up. But am curious if this information is the same for duck/ducklings? Or a better post to look into?

Thanks! Carlton

 

[lazy gardener]

Chick starter is higher protein than starter/grower. I give my chicks grit in their first week, and every week after. Simply scoop some washed gravel out of the driveway. I'd do the same with ducks.

 

[casportpony]

Hi, new here. I've read through a lot of this and may have missed it if it was brought up. But am curious if this information is the same for duck/ducklings? Or a better post to look into?

Thanks! Carlton

Welcome to BYC! This link has some good info on duck nutrition:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/index.cfm

Pay special attention to the niacin requirements of ducklings.

• http://www.metzerfarms.com/NutritionalRequirements.cfm
• http://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-my-ducklings-leg-problems-due-to.html

As for grit, no harm in giving them some. Read posts 1, 3 and 4.

 

[arouech]

I'm so new to raising chickens.... I have 14 ISA Browns that are about 4-6 weeks right now. I just had to buy another bag of feed, and I bought the same as I had last time, DuMORE Chick Starter 24% After reading everything, I feel like I may have bought the wrong feed. The guy I asked at TSC was brand new there and said he didn't know anything to help me and no one else was around to ask. What should my girls be getting right now? I guess grit is like the one thing I don't quite understand.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
Reading posts 1 through 4 in this thread will tell you what you need to know about Grit.
24% is more of a meat bird feed or a game bird feed. 18% would be plenty for ISA Brown layers. Your birds are layers so when you start reading packets of things for your birds follow the layer instructions. not the broiler instructions or the meat bird or game board instructions, you want the layer instructions. but yes your chicks should be still on chick food. can you return the feed for an 18 percent Purina or Naturewise chick feed?
Best,
Karen

 

[arouech]

Hi,
Reading posts 1 through 4 in this thread will tell you what you need to know about Grit.
24% is more of a meat bird feed or a game bird feed. 18% would be plenty for ISA Brown layers. Your birds are layers so when you start reading packets of things for your birds follow the layer instructions. not the broiler instructions or the meat bird or game board instructions, you want the layer instructions. but yes your chicks should be still on chick food. can you return the feed for an 18 percent Purina or Naturewise chick feed?
Best,
Karen

Unfortunatly, I already put the feed in the containers I keep it in to keep mice out of the bag. I'll just have to eat the cost and hold onto it for next year or find someone in my area that needs it. When I switch the to a different feed, is it best to mix it in with what they have now gradually to it being just the new feed?