Two Questions Which Need to be Answered

[ridgrats]

One thing about the oyster shell that I haven't seen mentioned is that it also helps do the job of grit in the gizzard. Everything goes to the gizzard to get ground up by the grit and other hard materials. I've even seen small bits of glass, metal, etc. in there. In the process of grinding, the oyster shell, and whatever else is there, gets ground small enough to be absorbed in the stomach/intestines or passed on through.

Rodney

 

[cmom]

From another post on another forum.

Chickens do not have teeth. Their food goes, as is, into the crop, where it is slowly funneled into a very small " stomach" for some digestive additives--then to the Gizzard, where it is 'chewed', that is, ground into material that can be digested as it moves into the intestines and so on. The Gizzard is best able to break down whole grains and other chunky bits that they eat when full of grit. Longest lasting grit is Granite, that lasts well. All other rock and stone is so much softer, that it wears down fast and that is why granite grit is best choice, works really well for best utilization of feeds. My baby chicks are given free choice and they choose it with pleasure, baby grit is fine Granite, as soon as they are given anything besides Starter Crumbles. Their tiny gizzards are at optimum function at an early age.

Oyster shells can act as grit to an extent, but young birds who are not laying should not have oyster shell. Grit that is usually granite grit, does the job much better than oyster shell, which really isn't that hard. Grit grinds the Oyster Shell. While the gizzard is an amazingly strong organ, the Grit is a part of its function. Also, if they free range they will eat dirt for grit, but I always have a dish of granite grit and a dish of oyster shells near their food.

Mine have access 24/7 to their food and water. I give them treats of scratch, (oats, whole sunflower seeds, once in awhile wild bird seed, cracked corn etc.), in small quanities as these are treats. I also give them vegies, fruits, most everything that I can grow. I do grow a lot of corn and watermelon especially, also tomatoes, squash, root crops, the list can go on. I feed them everything except potatoes. I figure they will eat what they want. I do free range them. I make sure they have plenty of grit and oyster shells. For chicks, if Ican't find chick grit for the chicks, I take regular granite grit and smash it.

Actually with all the vegies and scraps plus free ranging them, they still eat their layer, and I do see them in their grit and oyster shell dishes too. My girls are healthy and happy.

 

[velo99]

Pennington wild bird seed has granite grit in it.

 

[JennsPeeps]

It's really amazing how excited chicks get over grit. I gave mine parakeet grit when they were babies and you'd think it was some gourmet treat rather than, well, dirt!

 

[ChickaD]

Thanks for the laugh - I needed that!