When can I use chick grit

[BCMominMD]

My chicks are 3 weeks old. Treats have been suggested as a way to make them friendlier. Anyway, so far I have given worms from the garden and mealworms from Petco - both a big hit. I've read that if you give them anything but the chick starter grumble they need grit. I purchased chick grit (not layer grit - I know they can't tolerate the calcium when this small) but the bag says it's for chicks 10 weeks and older. Can I put a little bowl out for them to use free choice now so I don't have to worry when I give them treats or is there some other product I should be using?
Thanks!

 

[louloubean]

i'm new at this too!

i did find this info, and plan on following it:
http://www.strombergschickens.com/stock/chick_care.php

oops looks like their site crashed this morning.
basically it said to sprinkle chick grit on their mash "like salting your food" every three days or so.

our babies are only on their second day, so we haven't tryed it yet here!!

have fun, we are

 

[LauraSBale]

I start give chick grit, whten there about a week old, i mix it with corn meal and ground oat flour, they love it, i give about 2 teaspoon pre chick once a day,

 

[BCMominMD]

Thanks
I'm just wondering why the bag says for chicks 10 weeks and older?
What does your bag say?

 

[cmom]

A chicken's food goes, as is, into the crop, where it is slowly funneled into a very small " stomach" for some digestive additives--then to the Gizzard, where it is 'chewed', that is, ground into material that can be digested as it moves into the intestines and so on. The Gizzard is best able to break down whole grains and other chunky bits that they eat when full of grit. Longest lasting grit is Granite, that lasts well. All other rock and stone is so much softer, that it wears down fast and that is why granite grit is best choice, works really well for best utilization of feeds. My baby chicks are given free choice and they choose it with pleasure, baby grit is fine Granite, as soon as they are given anything besides Starter Crumbles. Their tiny gizzards are at optimum function at an early age. I feed my birds Starter/Grower feed until they start to lay then I switch over to layer feed. If I have any Starter/Grower feed left over I mix it in with the layer feed.

I give mine almost everything. Here is the link to BYC Chicken Treat Chart.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[willheveland]

I sprinkle it on their food after the 2nd day,not much,just like salting.May help to prevent pasting. Will

 

[Sakai]

Cmom,
That's an awsome link for the treats for the chickens. I had to add that to my favs. My Chicks are only a week old but it's great info to have for when they are older.

 

[Northwoodschickens]

Just got my chicks yesterday and am brand new to this. What is the difference between crumbles and starter feed? I think I've read too many books and talked to so many people with different methods that I'm totally confused!

 

[willheveland]

crumbles are the texture of the feed (ex- crumbles,mash,pellets)

starter is the type of feed used in the beginning (ex starter 1st, grower 2nd, flock raiser last)depending on what your raising. Will

 

[BCMominMD]

OK. I'm not home right now but I'm pretty sure the grit is granite. So it just may be a matter of the size of the grind. I guess I will put it out and see. It looks fairly fine ground to me.
Yes the treat chart is great
Thanks