what actually is grits?

[chick_magnet]

I heard that grits is basically dirk and sand. Is that true? I was going to go buy some grits from a feed store, but a friend of mine that owns chicken some a bit now is tell me that grits are sand and dirk is that true. if not then what is grits. i didn't think raising chicks would be so confusing

 

[dichotomymom]

Grits are a delicious southern dish made from corn

 

[pharr389]

Quote:
true

 

[silkiechicken]

Grits is a human food

Grit, as in granite grit, is for chickens to help them grind the food in the gizzard. If you free range and they have access to rocky soil or granite rock, you don't need to buy any. If they are inside, and do not have access, it is a good thing to have on hand.

 

[Echos_dad]

Grits is ground up hominy. Grit is pebbles and sand that birds use in their gizzard to grind up their food since they don't have molars!

 

[JennB]

i have a large chuck of sod and dirt in with my chicks, i ahve been debating on buying grit. they spend lots of time pecking at the dirt, and i also go to the yard and pick up all kinds of bugs. do i need grit?

 

[PriceFamilyFarms]

Quote:
I would say it wouldn't hurt to add 1lb of chick grit to 20lbs. of starter feed. My birds all free range so I don't give it to them.

 

[MaggieRae]

Quote:
Or a gravel road.

I keep grit for them so they'll leave it alone... They need their grit so they'll keep

for fire ants.

 

[gritsar]

Silly people! Grits - Girl Raised In The South

My chickens have been finding their own grit since they were about 3 weeks old.

 

[3chimama]

Do you actually mix it in with the food or put it at the side for them to eat it freely?