Time for adult grit at 11 weeks?

[MKetter]

The birds eat chick grit like it’s food. There are seven of them, and I throw out about 5-6 handfuls of chick grit, and it’s always gone by the time they go back in.

I saw there is grower grit (between chick and adult) and layer grit (adult chickens). Can 11 week old chickens eat adult grit now?

 

[nuthatched]

Do they have access to dirt? They likely don't need it at all.

 

[MKetter]

Do they have access to dirt? They likely don't need it at all.

Dirt yes, but there’s no grit in the dirt. It’s just dirt.

 

[nuthatched]

Dirt yes, but there’s no grit in the dirt. It’s just dirt.

You can use adult grit but you're likely not to need it for awhile.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I switch to grower grit at around 6 weeks, so yes I would upgrade in size.

 

[saysfaa]

I agree they need a larger size than chick grit. You might offer the adult size and see if they take it. If they don't, you aren't out anything because they will need it later. Or just get both grower and adult sizes because it isn't expensive, especially for how much good it does them.

 

[FeatherAndBloom]

My 12x 16/17 week old hens are eating chick grit like it’s food too. The store told me not to switch to #2 until they are “grown” at 20 weeks which seems contrary to what I’m reading here. Currently they have #1 Cherry Stone crushed granite and im filling this quart jar like once every 1-2 weeks. Seems like a lot… otherwise healthy! Not seeing it in their poop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My 12x 16/17 week old hens are eating chick grit like it’s food too. The store told me not to switch to #2 until they are “grown” at 20 weeks which seems contrary to what I’m reading here. Currently they have #1 Cherry Stone crushed granite and im filling this quart jar like once every 1-2 weeks. Seems like a lot… otherwise healthy! Not seeing it in their poop.

Maybe they're taking a lot of chick grit because it's too small to do the job at this point, and just passing through their system? 16/17 week olds are pretty close to adult size in height, so I can't imagine tiny chick grit does much for them. Which is why I offer them their choice of grower and layer grit from 6 weeks or so on... they can pick through it and take what's appropriate for them since there's a wide variety of sizes in there. I'd have to imagine bigger grit crushes up food more effectively, like adult teeth vs baby teeth.

 

[MKetter]

I began giving them adult grit with the grower grit. They eat it all. If I recall correctly, someone said that they will eat it when they need it and know when to stop. They must have really needed it, because they ate a lot before they slowed down. I began using a small bowl, and these days they have leftovers.

 

[FeatherAndBloom]

I began giving them adult grit with the grower grit. They eat it all. If I recall correctly, someone said that they will eat it when they need it and know when to stop. They must have really needed it, because they ate a lot before they slowed down. I began using a small bowl, and these days they have leftovers.

I have been mixing the #2 and #3 grit and they have been taking what they need and leaving leftovers. Lord knows the collective 100lbs of grit I just bought (2 sizes 50lbs each) will last me a lifetime!!