When to start grit?

[Amanda39]

My duck and geese are only newborns. They are eating Gro-gel, organic duckling crumble and kelp flakes. I would like to offer some lettuce, but not sure when to start grit. They do need grit for lettuce and grass right?

 

[Miss Lydia]

My duck and geese are only newborns. They are eating Gro-gel, organic duckling crumble and kelp flakes. I would like to offer some lettuce, but not sure when to start grit. They do need grit for lettuce and grass right?

Yes they do.

 

[Amanda39]

Ok, so do I wait about 2 weeks, or longer?

 

[The goose girl]

Don't wait. Offer grit right away. If they need it, they'll eat it. If they don't need it, they'll ignore it.

Geese usually have excellent instincts for taking care of themselves. Except, of course, when it comes to non-natural stuff like plastic, string, and nails. Also, bored goslings in a pen may overstuff themselves with grit. Their instinct is to pull, tug, and chew almost all day long. But if you keep them activated with a some squares of grass/sod dug up from the lawn, they'll play with it and take the grit they need from the dirt. Two birds in one shot!

 

[Amanda39]

Really? That's awesome! I could have sworn I read no grit until 2 weeks or so, and only crumble for 2 weeks. I would really like to take them out side to play, but I was worried about them eating grass.

Do I just sprinkle the grit on the floor of the brooder? Or do I put it in a dish? I went to Tractor Supply Store yesterday and bought gritas a picture on the chicken aisle. It is made by Dumor and has a picture of chicks on the front. It says for all classes of poultry.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Really? That's awesome! I could have sworn I read no grit until 2 weeks or so, and only crumble for 2 weeks. I would really like to take them out side to play, but I was worried about them eating grass.

Do I just sprinkle the grit on the floor of the brooder? Or do I put it in a dish? I went to Tractor Supply Store yesterday and bought gritas a picture on the chicken aisle. It is made by Dumor and has a picture of chicks on the front. It says for all classes of poultry.

Either way is fine but they will poop on it if you sprinkle it on the floor. so maybe put it in a small bowl. When I have chicks inside I cut pieces of sod like the goose girls talking about and bring it inside my gosh do they love it. But if you have nice warm weather take them outside and let them play. hopefully you don't spray your lawn or use fertilizer on it. you can even put down a little pan of water for them to play in, just make sure it's toasty warm outside then bring them back inside to dry. They'll have a blast and you'll enjoy watching them.

 

[Amanda39]

Thanks for the ideas!!! You are all so nice!!!

I put them in the bathtub yesterday with warm water, LOL I never laughed so hard! I only put a couple of inches in and they were trying to dive LOL

I used a hair dryer on them after, they liked that! Then they went back in the brooder under the heat plate and slept.

I love my babies, they are so sweet!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for the ideas!!! You are all so nice!!!

I put them in the bathtub yesterday with warm water, LOL I never laughed so hard! I only put a couple of inches in and they were trying to dive LOL

I used a hair dryer on them after, they liked that! Then they went back in the brooder under the heat plate and slept.

I love my babies, they are so sweet!

Okay where's the pics

 

[Amanda39]

I actually have a video! But I don't want to upload to youtube. I wish I could just upload from my computer.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I actually have a video! But I don't want to upload to youtube. I wish I could just upload from my computer.

I wish you could too. Never did a video so can't help.