What to do with grit!?

[missyoutweek]

This is my first time raising a chick, and he's ready for grit! Problem is, I don't know if he's eating any! It appears that he's not and I'm really worried he won't be able to pass his food as I've started to give him bigger sized grains. This is his setup for reference.

He's an indoor chicken, but I might be giving him away to someone who can possibly take better care of him outside, so would it be worth it to spread around some dirt inside? I've tried putting smaller grit pieces in front of the grit bowl to lead him to it and tried putting pieces in my palm not only by itself but again with smaller grains, but I don't think either of those things worked (he might've gotten ONE piece of grit from my hand).

-a worried mom
p.s. It has only been a day since I've started giving him the bigger grains and grit so I might just be paranoid, but I want to make sure his food passes!
Edit: I know the grain dust makes it looks messy, but I heard they like dust baths?

 

[21hens-incharge]

How old is he?
Are you feeding chick starter? If so and if that is the ONLY feed he gets then grit wont be needed.

You do say grains. Grains in grain form or in ground feed form?

 

[missyoutweek]

How old is he?
Are you feeding chick starter? If so and if that is the ONLY feed he gets then grit wont be needed.

You do say grains. Grains in grain form or in ground feed form?

He is two months!

I'm now feeding him chick grower, the smaller "grains" I was refering to was chick starter. This is his new food https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...aL9oUdhMF35yJFTlyjJzx4-E9bB2nmT8aAkxjEALw_wcB . Sorry for the confusion!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Since he is on the crumble starter feed he should be fine without grit.

He's a cutie and likely a she.
Buff cochin?? If so that's a girl for sure.

I do think outside time is important. They benefit from scratching around and from sunshine.

 

[AlleysChicks]

If he’s 2 months then he is a she
If you are feeding her crumbles then she does not need grit. Grit is for when she eats anything but crumbles or pellets.

 

[missyoutweek]

Since he is on the crumble starter feed he should be fine without grit.

He's a cutie and likely a she.
Buff cochin?? If so that's a girl for sure.

I do think outside time is important. They benefit from scratching around and from sunshine.

But it's chick grower? The pellets (or whatever you would call the individual pieces of food) appear bigger than what I was giving to him before. And if I take him outside (which I plan on doing when I can get my hands on a cage so he doesn't run too far off) I don't want him to have a knot of grass in his tummy!
And I keep him in a room where the sunlight is present until nighttime, but I know he's for sure benefit from direct sunshine! Oh and yes I had a suspicion "he" was a girl, but as I had named "him" Craig and used male pronouns to refer to him, I likely will always refer to "him" as a boy haha.

 

[missyoutweek]

If he’s 2 months then he is a she
If you are feeding her crumbles then she does not need grit. Grit is for when she eats anything but crumbles or pellets.

Hehe I had a feeling "he" was. When someone told me he was a Cochin, I looked up how to distinguish the sex and caught on by the longer wings. However, I named him Craig when he was only three days old and referred to him with male pronouns so it will probably stay that way.
But back to the grit, I am afraid he might need it since the crumble/pellets is/are larger, and I am wanting to give him treats.

 

[21hens-incharge]

But it's chick grower? The pellets (or whatever you would call the individual pieces of food) appear bigger than what I was giving to him before. And if I take him outside (which I plan on doing when I can get my hands on a cage so he doesn't run too far off) I don't want him to have a knot of grass in his tummy!
And I keep him in a room where the sunlight is present until nighttime, but I know he's for sure benefit from direct sunshine! Oh and yes I had a suspicion "he" was a girl, but as I had named "him" Craig and used male pronouns to refer to him, I likely will always refer to "him" as a boy haha.

Chick starter is the same basically as chick grower in regards to whether or not grit would be needed.
Once your bird is eating things other than just the starter the grit is more important. It never looks like mine eat much either. My birds are outside so pick up small stones from the ground which reduces their needs from the dish.

 

[lazy gardener]

Only one bird? No bedding? Chickens are flock animals, and should have others of their species. Also, bedding is IMO necessary to allow the bird to engage in natural chicken behaviors. Chicks, if raised inside, are ready to move into coop and run at 4 - 5 weeks of age.

 

[missyoutweek]

Only one bird? No bedding? Chickens are flock animals, and should have others of their species. Also, bedding is IMO necessary to allow the bird to engage in natural chicken behaviors. Chicks, if raised inside, are ready to move into coop and run at 4 - 5 weeks of age.

Yes I sadly most likely will be giving him away to someone more experienced and with tons of chickens, he can become friends with. I'll try to get him bedding until he leaves