When to start providing grit?

[kian]

I have 12 week old chicks still eating chick starter crumbles. However they also eat all manner of treats (kale and green apple are their favorite non-worm and grub food!) and scratch. They peck and scratch and eat off the ground in the run, so I know they're getting dirt particles and (I'm assuming) tiny rocks and such. Should I put out some grit also? At the store today I bought a small box of regular pet bird grit as they didn't have anything for chickens.

Thank you!

 

[fried green eggs]

They will find some grit off the ground in their pen but, they need small course gravel not just dirt. You could put a dish of grit so they have access to it if they need it. Masonary sand has sand and gravel in it and you could get a 50# bag from Lowe's or H.D. much cheaper than a small bag of grit from a pet store.

 

[kian]

Oh thank you! I'll set out what I bought and look into the masonry sand. Great idea, thank you!