The Science Of Feeding Grit To Poultry

[elaineinspain]

@MeepBeep
Thanks for that tip.
How big would the grit need to be for my 7 week old chicks? 5mm across? 7mm? 10mm? until I can find a store where I can get it, I'm going to have to hammer rocks for them.

 

[MeepBeep]

@MeepBeep

Thanks for that tip.
How big would the grit need to be for my 7 week old chicks? 5mm across? 7mm? 10mm? until I can find a store where I can get it, I'm going to have to hammer rocks for them.

7 week dual purpose breeds would probably be in in around the 1-3mm range, but will be transitioning to a 3-6mm range in the coming weeks... And eventually to a 5-8mm size as adults... Best to offer them a variety and let them choose the size...

 

[elaineinspain]

7 week dual purpose breeds would probably be in in around the 1-3mm range, but will be transitioning to a 3-6mm range in the coming weeks... And eventually to a 5-8mm size as adults... Best to offer them a variety and let them choose the size...

Thank you.
I reckon I've been offering them all those sizes. As I hammer the rock it is a variety of sized pieces that are produced anyway. It's reassuring to know that they pick the size that is best for themselves.
I found a speciality chicken online shop offering 1.5kg bags of chicken grit for 10 euros!!!! and postage extra.(That's over 10 dollars for 3pounds!) I think I'll check out DIY and building trade places. See if they have any grit that would be suitable.

 

[dstanley66]

I work about 3 mile away from the mt. Airy quarry I can get a 50 lb bag for a few $ but I let them free range some to get natural grit so would I also need granite grit ?

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
I found answers to almost all of my questions about grit in the bibliography below:
Here is the source for much of my research. This pithy little book not only has the biblio cites, it has abstracts of each one.
It is keyword searchable for topics of interest. A wealth of knowledge on many aspects of grit. Tied in well with the other
scientific articles I was reading on the Net. types of feed, size to feed, types of grit and which is best, effects on chick health,
gizzard, and growth. Field stone vs. commercial chick grit, comparison of different types of shell and stones for grit. Problems and uses of different limestones for grit and for other reasons, etc..
Grit for poultry: bibliography and abstract.
Author: Branion, Hugh Douglas, 1906-
Published: New York, Granite Grit Institute of America [1960]
Physical Description:
84 p. 28 cm.
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89043737196;view=1up;seq=1

 

[Mahen100]

I buy a bag of hen size granite chips, and when I have chicks, I grind the larger chips in an electric coffee bean grinder to size. I put about a tablespoon or two in the grinder, and pulse the machine on and off, checking progress. It does not take long to break the pieces down to around a fourth their original size. (Hasn't torn up my coffee bean grinder yet) . Too long a pulse and it will be reduced to dust.



Edited to add: Once I was reading up on grit and I ran to the pet store and found a ridiculously expensive bottle of "bird grit" in the budgie isle. If you get "parakeet" grit or something from the pet store, check to be sure the ingredients do not contain calcium. I didn't read the contents until I got home, and had to return the bottle that had added supplemental calcium in the granite. Excess calcium can cause young chicks' bones to develop improperly. .

 

[dstanley66]

I was just wondering when I was younger we never gave our chicken noodle grit they got it on there own but I live about 12 mile from Mt. Airy granite coury an can get almost free grit from there that's were a lot of the store bought grit comes from or let them get it from free range

 

[MeepBeep]

but I live about 12 mile from Mt. Airy granite coury an can get almost free grit from there that's were a lot of the store bought grit comes from or let them get it from free range

It would cost me more in gas to drive that 24 miles round trip then I pay for a 50lb at the local feed store

 

[Tika75]

My little coop doesn't really have room for another dish. I've just been tossing my grit on the floor plus where I let them roam for a bit each day. How do I know they are getting enough?

 

[dstanley66]

It would cost me more in gas to drive that 24 miles round trip then I pay for a 50lb at the local feed store

Yep but still have to drive that far to nearest feed store and it close to work anyway