this grit thing

[BoldViolet]

Thank you!

 

[naakte]

eating bugs with no grit, Plan on doing crop surgery? grit seems to be even more important if they are free ranging on a grassy plain. Grass is a common obstruction it turns into a hard grass ball and blocks the grass from going down
Donna in Branson

 

[hannakat]

My free rangers have all the grit they want or desire. All the scratching they do brings up all kinds of interesting chicken goodies.

I did just start my 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 week olds on some yummy mealworms and little snips of grass, so I also gave them dirt, sand and fine stuff from the side of the driveway. It was all very exciting!

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I've seen grit and oyster shell equated on here before and I hate to see this, for the chicks' sake. As Ridgerunner said, chicks should not get oyster shell. It may be that it will function the way grit does and help grind food, I don't know, but they will absorb unneeded calcium from it. If that were not the case, it wouldn't work as a calcium supplement for layers.

I won't mix either oyster shell or grit with feed, because that is me telling them how much they should eat. Hopefully their instinct is wiser than my guess would be.

 

[Mehpenn]

I remember my grandpa used to pick sand/gravel out of his driveway for the chickens.... as long as there's no larger (like pea sized) stones in there, would that be okay?

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Yes that is probably good for adult chickens.
For chicks, it needs to be smaller. The chick grit you get at the store is slightly smaller than the Purina chick starter crumbles.

Imp

 

[debid]

I scooped driveway gravel and shook it through a sieve. The tiny bits that could pass through were a bit larger than sand.

I was surprised by how much grit they consumed that first time. I have 10 chicks and they took out the first tablespoon in a few minutes' time. The second batch has gone much more slowly.

 

[truebluexf]

So is sprinkling construction sand on their treats enough? My chicks are about a month or so old and outside already. They get feed, a little free ranging food, and so far some watermelon.

I'm thinking I shouldn't have to buy grit lol.