What age to start BOSS?

[kmollyhughes]

No, if the aren't little rocks in the run, they need grit. Sand isn't big enough. If you post a pic of your run we could probably tell you. Grit acts like teeth. Grinds up food for the stomach. Need it for no problems with impaction. Scratch is corn and grains. A handful as a treat now and then. I don't do scratch in the summer and spring because they're out free ranging eating grass and bugs. That's enough treats. Think of it as candy. Don't want your kids eating too much junk. If you want treats, sprout.

 

[dollydaylillies]

so how much do you give them? Do you give it to them separately or with their food??

 

[dollydaylillies]

ok thanks,

 

[kmollyhughes]

I had a little feeder tray of grit on the side. They take how much they need. If they are outside with rocks and and little pebbles they'll be fine on their own. If in a container/brooder and getting treats then they'll need grit.

 

[dollydaylillies]

ok thanks,

 

[farnorth]

Scratch is not grit or sand. Scratch is usually a mix of grains. Don't feed a lot of this it's kind of a treat.

If your chickens are going outside in a run they probably don't need grit either....they will eat dirt and tiny pebbles while scratching around out there in the dirt. Grit is only necessary if they have no access to dirt.

I do have a container full of grit I leave in the coop all the time (for those times they have to stay locked in like when they are too little, or in winter and bad weather days) they don't use that much....the container only needs topping off once in a great while.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

What is the difference between grit and scratch and when should I start giving them scratch? Ok, I should be giving the Grit in a pan all day every day yes? . I can give them Sand in place of scratch yes?

Scratch is grains of corn, seeds, etc. Grit is small pebble like stones which chickens use to digest and ground up food. Sand can be a substitute of grit, not scratch.

 

[CLester]

My chickens are 11 wks old. They get very occasional black oil SF seeds, along with their grower chicken feed, all the bugs and weeds they can eat when they're outdoors, plenty of grit, veggie and fruit kitchen scraps and oyster shell.

Regarding grit. My feather flock started getting grit as soon as I brought them home (age 3 days). Without an ample amount of grit they will get an impacted crop Bad news!

 

[Chickmagnet9]

I have it available for them to eat at will. They seem to get into it at about 8-10 weeks old. Dried up Meal Worms, too.

 

[Michael Apple]

I wouldn't recommend using it at all. It is unnecessary compared to other food stuffs that are beneficial.