When do you start giving baby chicks grit?

[Grits&Eggs]

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The video of their first baths-priceless. And yes they knew just what do do and pick out the tiny grit they needed.
Best wishes

OMG - agree, the first dust bath is priceless! we laughed and laughed as the dust and dirt was thrown all over. I gave watermelon and mealworms for their first treat and immediately put grit out with it.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Thanks for reminding me...... I need to crush some adult grit for my little soldiers!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Thanks for reminding me...... I need to crush some adult grit for my little soldiers!

Shamo darling... how are the hatchlings??? Did you earn any grey hairs over the whole “new daddy” thingie?

 

[snow5164]

You can start chick grit after two weeks.

Says who I’ve never heard of that ? I Give grit from day one , you know that they have an instinct to peck at things , a piece of sod dirt side up and a dish of small grit sprinkled on it and they’re good to grow

 

[Melky]

Says who ? Give grit from day one , you know that the my have an instinct to peck at things , a piece of sod dirt side up and a dish of small grit abs they’re good to grow

Reputable hatcheries and breeding experts well versed in the rearing of chickens. Chicks need to know and recognize food sources first and primary goal is weight gain with no treats for first couple weeks. Most chickens raised in brooder the recommendation to start treats is after first two weeks. Then start chick grit with greens and mealworms but less than 10% of feed amount. Prior to this age it is just unnecessary. See link.
https://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/grit-and-oyster-shell.html

• Babies who are eating nothing but a commercially produced starter feed do not need grit. The food is soft enough to be absorbed without the need for grinding.

• However, as soon as chicks are given any kind of treat food, they need some form of grit. It doesn't matter whether you think the treats are soft and easily digested - any food other than chick starter requires it.

[/QUOTE]

 

[Melky]

If fed food items too early the chicks will not be able to absorb it and it will not provide any nutritional value or aid in digestion. This applies to chick grit as well.

 

[snow5164]

I know if you google “ when to give chicks grit “ you get the above answers... But my brooder is full of sand that the chicks eat from the very first days... if our chicks were with their mommy they would be eating bugs and dirt ,grass and whatever they find from day one ... that’s why I allow mine to partake from day one ,

it’s how they would naturally explore if I hadn’t got them from a hatchery

There are different opinions on this , and we @Melky are on opposite sides, my experiences have been great this way

 

[Melky]

I know if you google “ when to give chicks grit “ you get the above answers... But my brooder is full of sand that the chicks eat from the very first days... if our chicks were with their mommy they would be eating bugs and dirt ,grass and whatever they find from day one ... that’s why I allow mine to partake from day one ,

it’s how they would naturally explore if I hadn’t got them from a hatchery

There are different opinions on this , and we @Melky are on opposite sides, my experiences have been great this way

We may have to agree to disagree then. The mother here may not be raising the chicks and they therefore may not get that experience. I believe the mother would act the same and the chick would receive very little grit if at all as a new baby. The natural environment just does not have this content for them sufficiently as well. The sand does not act as grit for the chick, will not support digestion, and will pass through with no value. Sand is too fine as discussed in the article I supported. The chick grit I think we both agree is needed. It just has no benefit early on and it is an unnecessary cost for someone.

 

[snow5164]

There are many different types of sand available... the rough stuff is recommended for chick grit ,

Unsubscribe, I’m done

 

[MissChick@dee]

Reputable hatcheries and breeding experts well versed in the rearing of chickens. Chicks need to know and recognize food sources first and primary goal is weight gain with no treats for first couple weeks. Most chickens raised in brooder the recommendation to start treats is after first two weeks. Then start chick grit with greens and mealworms but less than 10% of feed amount. Prior to this age it is just unnecessary. See link.
https://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/grit-and-oyster-shell.html

• Babies who are eating nothing but a commercially produced starter feed do not need grit. The food is soft enough to be absorbed without the need for grinding.

• However, as soon as chicks are given any kind of treat food, they need some form of grit. It doesn't matter whether you think the treats are soft and easily digested - any food other than chick starter requires it.

[/QUOTE]
There it is!