When do I introduce grit to chicks????

[Taterrtots]

I am new to chicks and although I am reading lots of information I find this confusing too.

Lots of different opinions. I have 20, 8 week old chicks. They are in a large grass/dirt pen that has the coop also in it. I am curious about this Grit topic. I bought some grit yesterday (Manna Pro- Poultry Grit -Insoluble crushed granite). I have had them on starter feed -but I thought since they eat lots of grass and any critters unfortunate enough to come across their path, that they also need Grit. (We were also occasionally offering mealworms and a little veggies). The place we bought it at did not have different sizes. The package said beginning at 8 weeks of age. Should I break it up more? And how much is too much? I put some to the side of their feed and they ate it up quickly! Most likely because it was something new. Should I keep offering it separately or mix it in the feed? I was concerned that only a few of them would gobble it all up, or eat too much of it instead of the feed. Ideas? Suggestions? My husband said when he was small his mother didn't bother with grit for her chickens, so a part of me is even wondering if it's necessary- if they have a large area to munch away at the ground.
Thanks in advance

 

[azygous]

If they are on soil, the grit is already available to them. Adding the commercial grit, by just sprinkling it over the ground, can't hurt.

 

[romeofoxxchics]

If my chicks free range from sun up to sun down do I need grits. They have feed and water on hand Daily I give them mealworms and a little scratch do I still need to give them grits help anyone don't let me kill them

 

[Maikan]

I put a tiny pinch of fine chick grit on there chick crumbles from about 3 days old when I start to feed them some dried meal worms n mashed up sweet corn or peas. It was something an old time chicken breeder n keeper told me, there birds always looked great with very few chick deaths etc. I have to say my guys are doing well in this n they all love it and do well on this. The sweet corn and peas are all cooked so easy to eat n digest for them.

 

[Dchintella]

If I put them out in the yard supervised and they peck at the sand and ground around them does that count as grit?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If I put them out in the yard supervised and they peck at the sand and ground around them does that count as grit?

Depends on the size of the "sand" - if it's strictly sand then it's too small.