The Science Of Feeding Grit To Poultry

[Beekissed]

I'd have to agree. Pretty much all of science starts from anecdotal happenings that someone wants to put to the test. I've done chickens for 40 yrs and have given grit a time or two but mostly not at all, whether the chicken was confined or free range.....in the end I've never seen a bit of difference in performance or health.

I've never had an instance of sour crop either in all those flocks and all those years, so you can call it anecdotal or not, in real life and on real birds over a long span of time, buying special grit for chickens and particularly chickens of different ages, etc. is pretty much a waste of time, worry and money. It's not being cheap, it's called being practical and logical.

Now, if a person had a commercial operation where the chickens never saw the light of day or hit soil with their feet, I'd say grit might come in handy....depends on the feed they are given. Mostly, though, grit is not really all that necessary unless y'all are feeding whole grains or dry mash to confined birds, but pelleted feed doesn't need much grinding at all.

 

[0wen]

I only offered grit to my first ever batch of chicks because I was told I had to and none to any of the flocks since except for my current rebuild project. Like admitting to watching reality TV - I admit to only offering grit this go round because of this article and to see if I can eyeball a difference. I suspect in the end, I won't notice anything by way of conversion or performance, but between a bag of chick grit, a bag of grow out grit, and a bag of adult grit - I'll only have around $25 dollars involved in a self satisfying experiment. I really don't care how the results play out but I also don't expect to see any real evidence one way or the other - small sample size of 20 chicks and a mix of hatchery birds and higher quality breeder stock so even results between birds may vary (if there's any evidence present at all).

There's a trend lately from most walks of life going with a 'my way is the only/best way & your way is wrong' and there appears to be little room for compromise in the subscribed schools of thought. You see it here - In the diatomaceous earth arguments, in the 'mama heating pad' thread, and so forth. Everyone is trying to reinvent the wheel because their car sucks - rather than trying the bus, or the train, or a cab...

 

[Lisa Wood]

I am new baby chicks owner. They hatched out 5/17. I read so somewhere that they can have a box of dirt in the brooder, and if I mix builders sand with dirt, there is no need for grit. Any opinions?
I plan to start feeding grit tomorrow, as they will be one week old. Is this plan correct? If so, what kind of grit, and can I please get if at TS?

 

[0wen]

If all they're eating is starter crumble they don't need grit at all. Once they have access to free range, start eating grains, or getting treats - basically solid foods that aren't crumble - they'll need grit. Sand isn't an appropriate grit - it needs to be stone, gravel, etc - if they free range, they'll likely pick it up from the yard, driveway, etc. It doesn't hurt to offer grit and the price is almost negligible. Start with 'chick grit' and move up from there. I picked up a 50lb bag of gran-i-grit and it'll likely last me forever...

 

[Lisa Wood]

OK I am a little worried. I asked my husband to pick up baby chick grit in town, and he came home with oyster shells and gave chicks access to them. They look too big and sharp. Please advise?

 

[kbky1973]

These chicks will not eat no more bigger prices then they need. It will just lay there. Might want to rake it up, take a hammer crack it finer. But it's good to go. Won't hurt them

 

[twinsmom6]

some times their little vents get plugged and you have to bathe them gently to remove it. pedialyte mixed in their water 3:1 can help
here is our little Michael after her bath

 

[twinsmom6]

then they dry off.. the pedialyte is for the drinking water if that was not clear :0)

love those cheek feathers

 

[harley587]

Adorable little Michael looks exactly like he is expressing that caption!!

 

[Lisa Wood]

Very cute. Never considered bathing them? You use chicken shampoo, or what?