When Can You Give Chicks Bugs/Table Food, Etc.?

[3riverschick]

The Science Of Feeding Grit To Poultry
Hi taffers,
I see you are a lawyer and used to getting the facts about subjects.
There is definitely a science to feeding grit to poultry. Simple,
scientifically proven, with predictable results. Feeding grit to poultry
is all about the sharp edges that do not round off in the acidity of the
gizzard, insolubility which keeps the edges sharp and the size proper,
right level of magnesium to prevent injury to chicks, and feeding the
right size at the right age so it stays in the gizzard (among other things).
Here is a write up I did on the subject last month.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/891051/the-science-of-feeding-grit-to-poultry
For quick further study, and the source of most all my references, that
little Bibliography is a treasure. It contains abstracts for all the cites.
A real Cliff Notes on the subject of grit for poultry. I get my grits from
Gran-I-Grit at about 5.60 for 50 lbs of chick grit to 10.00 for 50 lbs. of
either of the 2 larger sizes of grit.
Best Success,
Karen and the Light Sussex
in western PA, USA

 

[taffers]

My husband got the sand, and I stupidly didn't check it- I should have known better than to send him! He must have got the wrong one, although he says it was the only kind they had.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-Commercial-Grade-Medium-Sand-196251/100318480

As for the grit, it's just the regular Manna Pro Chick Grit.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007571S0M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1405172453&sr=8-1

 

[3riverschick]

As for the grit, it's just the regular Manna Pro Chick Grit.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007571S0M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1405172453&sr=8-1

Hi

Yes you pay premium for that. Note they ask for 14.95 but only list the size of the bag.
Small (110x110)
Medium (160x160)
Large (198x198)
That's because they know the price is ridiculous for the amount of grit they are selling. They don't want the customer to know how little grit they are getting for their money.
The Gran-I-Grit is just as good. Mined from one place. The world's largest open air granite quarry in North Carolina. Gran-I-Grit is only 5.60 to 10.00 for 50 lbs. , depending on which of the 3 sizes of grit you buy. Probably you can get Gran-I-Grit at any feed store.

Best,
Karen

 

[chickenmadness7]

I wait until my chicks are a week old and then offer them Chick Grit.

 

[CollegeChicken]

yes, poultry grit from the local feed store is 19.99 for 50lbs and includes some oyster shell as well.......a colleague of mine swears by red pigeon grit and uses it for all her chickens from chick thru adult since the gravel is so small

 

[3riverschick]

Guess it just costs more out there. Gran-I-Grit is pure granite.
No oyster shells. 10.00 for 50 lbs. in western PA.
BYC Product Review
https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/gran-i-grit-insoluable-crushed-granite

Official Gran-I-Grit Brochure
http://www.ncgranite.com/images/gritmailer.pdf
Starter 1/16” - 3/32”
Grower 3/32” - 3/16”
Developer – Layer 3/16” - 5/16”
Turkey 5/16” - 7/16”
Turkey Finisher 7/16” - 5/8”
Best,
Karen
Taffers: you were given correct info by My Pet Chicken
regarding grit. Here, from the manufacturer's brochure:

"Caution: Baby chicks and poults can mistake grit
for feed with damaging results. Help them establish
correct feeding habits by sprinkling grit over their
mash or grain for the first two days. Then feed
GRAN-I-GRIT in separate hoppers."

 

[KittieChick]

I have 8 little cuties that have been having playtime outdoors several hours a day in the shade. They're 2.5 weeks old and it's amazing to watch them foraging around their little pen. I checked on the need for grit, and my chicken supplier said that he asked the university poultry people about grit for chicks. They're opinion and guidance was no grit needed for chicks eating plant material, and that grit "may" contribute to impactions.

My girls are pecking little bits of dirt while they're outside, so it's kind of a moot point for me, but the whole vegetable matter vs. seeds made sense when he told me about it.

 

[3riverschick]

I have 8 little cuties that have been having playtime outdoors several hours a day in the shade. They're 2.5 weeks old and it's amazing to watch them foraging around their little pen. I checked on the need for grit, and my chicken supplier said that he asked the university poultry people about grit for chicks. They're opinion and guidance was no grit needed for chicks eating plant material, and that grit "may" contribute to impactions.

My girls are pecking little bits of dirt while they're outside, so it's kind of a moot point for me, but the whole vegetable matter vs. seeds made sense when he told me about it.

Hi,
Grit can cause impaction if it is too small. It either passes right on thru, spending little time in the gizzard,
or it can impact the gizzard. That is why it is important to feed the right size at the right age. I continue to
be mystified why so many are so quick to dismiss a dietary aid which was proven scientifically to be a
valuable aid in poultry raising as far back as the 1930's. .That's over 75 years of study and grit use in the
commercial industry. Folk don't have to believe me. That bibliography is 87 pages of studies from 1908
thru 1959. That little PDF flyer isn't propaganda by a grit supplier. The facts in it are substantiated by
studies in the bibliography. We feed the right size grit at the proper age because we want the adults to
have a large, strong, healthy gizzard. That results in better production by the adult bird. In layers, up to
a 20% increase in egg production. In broilers, better weight gain during the finishing period when fed with
mash and whole grains.
Best Regards,
Karen

 

[taffers]

Everything is more expensive here!

What are impactions?

BTW, I think one of my chicks has pasty butt (not sure- it doesn't look like the hole is covered, but there has definitely been dry poop stuck to her butt twice now) so I mashed up hard boiled eggs, thinking they would LOVE it. My picky girls would not touch the egg! So then I mixed it with their food and took out their regular feeder. They started eating their bedding instead! So I gave up and took out the egg and gave them their regular food back. I guess I'll try some plain yogurt, and see if they'll eat that.

 

[3riverschick]

Everything is more expensive here!

What are impactions?

Impaction is when things don't pass thru the gizzard fast enough and it gets full of things
that should have proceeded on thru the digestive system.
Best Regards,
Karen