Very confused about grit

[dulcimer lady]

Ok, I'm really confused. I have 4 week old chicks. I had been told that while they are on chick feed, I do not need to give them grit. But now I've seen in other places that people are giving grit to chicks much younger than mine. I don't know whether to give it or not. The only thing they ever eat other than the chick feed is some leftover (cooked and cooled) cream of wheat cereal when we make it.

 

[chicmom]

Hi dulcimer!

This is very easy to answer and a good question. When your chicks are eating starter/grower crumbles, they really don't need the grit. (Even the cream of wheat is Ok to feed them without grit.) But once your chickens start eating other things, or if you let them free range, then they'll need grit.

All chickens need grit because it helps them digest their food. If you allow your chickens to free range, they will probably find natural grit on their own. But if they are more cooped up, or locked in a chicken run, then you need to supply the grit in a bowl or feeding container so that they can take some whenever they want it. It will last a pretty long time.

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Sounds like you got the answer. We do not give our hens grit as we bring in a load of sand each year to keep the outdoor run from becoming muddy. Good luck!

 

[rancher hicks]

When my chicks get older I just throw the "chick" grit on the floor and let them decide if they need it. But not usually til they get much older and only if I give them something other than starter.

 

[Wizbop]

Can the grit be just sand? Or does it have to be a specific kind of grit for birds/chickens? I saw some at the pet store for $2 that a friend told me would be fine, but I dunno. My 8 week old chicks are in a run and they seem to be finding grit in our yard. They're eating lots of grass and are starting to eat more and more kitchen scraps. Do you just keep it in a little bowl in their run and they eat what they need?

 

[felidaet]

Be careful to read the label if you are buying bird grit at a pet store. Much if it has calcium in it. This is bad for the chicks until they reach laying age. I only use "chick grit" purchased at feed stores.

As far as how to feeed it, I have a small container of it in the brooder for the young chicks to eat as they need it. For the adult hens I have a feeder mounted to the wall inside the coop. I give them oyster shell the same way.

 

[triggfamily5]

I supply my chicks, and adults, contractors sand from Home Depot 24/7. We don't have very good soil around here for them to get it on their own, and our co-op only sells really small expensive bags of chicken grit. The contractors sand works great, I just put it in a dish for them to eat when they want. The bigger container, the better they think because they take dust baths in it too...

You only need to have either grit available, or provided in their diet somehow (even if it's from the ground, naturally) if they take in anything other than their normal food.

 

[Surehatch]

Good suggestions