What is grit and what age to give it to chicken?

[MajaMartin]

New to chickens!

I’ve heard a few people mention grit? What is that? Lol and when do you start to give it to your flock?

thanks

 

[Acre4Me]

Grit is granite. Rocks that stay in the gizzard to act like teeth and allows the chicken to “chew” their food. They sell smaller grit for chicks and regular grit for adult birds. If they free range, or have a rocky/pebbly run they may be able to get grit that way. Grit is necessary if they are fed anything besides feed pellets/crumble. And chances are your backyard flock eats grass/ bugs, etc. I provide chick grit in the brooder after about 7-10 days, when they are eating and drinking well and have grown a bit.

 

[MajaMartin]

Grit is granite. Rocks that stay in the gizzard to act like teeth and allows the chicken to “chew” their food. They sell smaller grit for chicks and regular grit for adult birds. If they free range, or have a rocky/pebbly run they may be able to get grit that way. Grit is necessary if they are fed anything besides feed pellets/crumble. And chances are your backyard flock eats grass/ bugs, etc. I provide chick grit in the brooder after about 7-10 days, when they are eating and drinking well and have grown a bit.

Uh oh, what happens if you don’t give them grit? My chicks are over 5 weeks should I start giving them grit?

 

[mandymcg05]

New to chickens!

I’ve heard a few people mention grit? What is that? Lol and when do you start to give it to your flock?

thanks

I started mine around 4 weeks when I started giving treats and letting them have "field trips" outside on the grass to peck a bit.

 

[Acre4Me]

Uh oh, what happens if you don’t give them grit? My chicks are over 5 weeks should I start giving them grit?

Yes, it’s ok to start them now. They’ll need chick grit, but will transition to regular grit as they get to be a few months old. But, they do need grit in order to properly grind up food except for pellets/crumble.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Uh oh, what happens if you don’t give them grit?

They won't die without it but cannot get the full nutritional value from what they eat, as their digestive system alone isn't enough to completely break down the things they've eaten. So it's wasteful for you (because you're paying for feed that they're not getting complete benefit from) and not optimal for their digestion.

 

[MajaMartin]

I started mine around 4 weeks when I started giving treats and letting them have "field trips" outside on the grass to peck a bit.

I have been giving them shredded carrot and egg stuff like that so I will definitely be going to grab some grit! Thanks for the help really appreciate it on my chicken journey!

 

[Krazikatlady64]

Check you feed lable, it may have some in it already, but I guess more can't hurt. It might put your mind at ease.