When to Grit

[1CknMoM]

My chicks are almost 2 months old, in their coop and progressing wonderfully. I'm also giving them treats..apples, bananas, leafy lettuce from the garden. I have some sand in the run which they peck at. So, the question is this..should I supplement with oyster shells or granite? I saw both of these at the feed store.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Oyster shells and grit are two distinctly different things.

Oyster shells supply extra calcium and should only be given when they start laying or reach 20 weeks age. Other things can supply calcium, but oyster shells are renewable and relatively cheap.

Grit is small hard stuff like small rocks and sand that they use in their gizzard to grind up their food. They are using sand in their run as grit, so you do not need to give them any. If they did not have grit, some of the treats could be not real good for them, but since there is sand in the run, you are in good shape.

 

[1CknMoM]

Thanks alot..