When can I use chick grit

[ranger4327]

soooo perhaps i missed it, BUT......when chicks are on starter rations, do they still need the grit ?

 

[LauraSBale]

as long as they are just eatting chick start, they dont need it.

but i like giveing it with the corn meal and oat flour, to help pasty butt,
but if they go out side in the yard, you really dont need to give it, because they will be getting sand or dirt from them picking at the ground.

 

[tankernav1]

I put a bit of dirt in their brooder today. Hopefully that will be good. I'm thinking of putting more in and hoping they get what they need. It was SO much fun watching them with the worms!!

 

[NanaKat]

I put a tray of sandy topsoil in the pen with my 5 week old chicks so they could use it for a dustbath and they ate half of it

not a single dust bath yet.
I use oyster shell with my big hens and use the fine screenings for my chicks.

 

[silverlining]

WOAH people. did you just say chicks dont tolerate calcium very well? I am getting my first chicks tomorrow, and so I bought some parakeet grit from the local Petsmart. I wasn't planning on starting them on the grit for a fw weeks anyway, but it DOES say its calcium enriched. should I return it?

 

[tankernav1]

I'm wondering this too. I've heard people say use the fine granite grit from Walmart for pet birds but I noticed all of it says enriched too. Or some of it says oyster shells onto a piece of paper...much like sandpaper looking.

 

[willheveland]

I don't think it's good to give chicks extra calcium until after they are laying. If you want grit for them why not just get granite chick grit,it should be sold anywhere you can buy poultry feed. Will

 

[ranger4327]

i dont have my chicks yet (first time chick raiser), but i did buy the granite grit to give them! My question is also, can it hurt to give it to them if they dont need it? i'd rather be on the safe side. as someone said, better to be safe than sorry, in so many words...... I have a 5 lb bag, how long should that last? I think i read that you just sprinkle it on the food like seasoning with salt? If thats the case, 5 lb's should go along ways for 10 chicks eh?

also, chicken scratch? i thought i read to NOT give it to the chickens during the summer? is this true?

i am really liking this website and all the knowledge here !

cb

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
Both of these questions are going to open a can of worms(so to say)because people disagree on these things.

I use chick grit from day 2 on,just a little,just like salting.A 5 lb. bag will last for a few if not many batches.I've had a 25lb. bag for 7 years and still got plenty.For chick grit I put it in one of those(Mc Cormick) seasoning shakers with the big holes.They don't need much,but I think it helps prevent pasty butt(which can kill it not kept clean)

As far as scratchgrain goes. I feed some all year long(after 6 wks)You can't make it their main diet but a few handfulls to your flock everyday won't hurt.I think wheat and oats are some of best things you can feed a chicken.I do not believe it makes them hot.I think where people think scratch makes them warmer,is only because if their crop is full it will be moving and working and the process of digesting may make them warmer not whats in the crop.But this is just my opinon.Jim from Lazy J feeds fought tooth and nail trying to explain the scratch thing to members and it comes down to what you want to believe as a poultry fancier.Everybody does things alittle different and believes different things.I guess you just got to sort that stuff out for yourself.Really most feeds have scratchgrain in it already it's just ground up so you don't notice.Someone saying they don't feed it probably don't realize they really are.
I also think that grit and scratchgrains make a healthier bird by making the crop tougher.A healthy crop makes a healthy bird.JMHO
good luck Will

 

[silverlining]

wow thanks so much for all the info you guys. its great that us newbies can come here and see what the veterans have to say. im definately returning my calcium enriched grit and trying to find some chick specific grit for when i start treats in a few weeks. thank goodness for receipts!