Where does everyone buy their grit.....what size?

[SeaChick]

I buy grit from the feedstore. I think it is called GraniteGrit or something like that. It is various sizes, the larges surprisingly big, like a chopped-in0half pencil eraser. The girls must eat it because I do refill the tin every few weeks.

Regarding sand, if it's the stuff folk use for sanding roads in the winter, make sure you know what's in it. I asked our town for some when we were building the run, thought it'd be a good "floor".... and they said "sure BUT be aware it has salt mixed in to aid de-icing the streets"..... needless to say I didn't take any, as it would probably have been bad for the birds.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Thanks everyone! Rural King is the closest tractor supply store to me and they don't carry grit at all. I may need to order from online. I'll check the local feed stores to, but don't expect much since their thought of chicken food is cracked corn. I'm amazed at the lack of knowledge or supplies offered in my area. Everyone seems to cater to horses even the vets. I appreciate eveyones input. I am to starting to feed scratch in the evening and thought the babies could use some extra grit to help with digestion.

I would be afraid of offering bought sand, unless I did know all the ingredients listed. I think I did read a thread once about someone buying playground sand from Home Depot.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[schmoo]

Heres a link to some for sale online

http://www.mypetchicken.com/Chicken_Supplies-Poultry_Grit-P53.aspx

Its $7.00 (not sure on shipping) but it is 5 pounds and it says mix one pound to 40 pounds of food, so it should last awhile. I just give it to mine on the side.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Quote:
Schmoo,
Thanks for the link. I think I'm going to order some. $7.00 isn't to bad and 5 lbs will last a long time. I don't know why the tractor supply and local feed stores don't carry more products.

Thanks!
Kim

 

[picklespickles]

i think i'm too cheap.

i figure mother nature made all that nice dirt just for them. why gild the lily?

 

[schmoo]

Believe me in a month or 2 all the nice dirt up here will be FROZEN solid

As will everything else until the spring thaw.........

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Quote:
Schmoo,
Don't worry, I ordered some yesterday! Thanks for the link.

I'm going to shop around and see if I can find a closer feed supply store that might carry it or be able to order it for me in the future, b/c shipping was expensive. I'm sure the 5 lb bag will last a while until I find a store. I can tell that they need it since they've been in their run more and unable to free range as much. I let them out yesterday about 4:30pm, so they could scratch around and find what's left of any green in the yard. Soon that will be all gone with the weather to, just like their run. Thanks again!

 

[spottedtail]

Have you got a farm co-op in your area?
Or would a "feedstore" be the same as a co-op in your area?

 

[LindaN]

I haven't been giving my hens grit until recently. I've had an old cat litter box with play sand sitting in the yard for a few months and I've noticed them eating out if occasionally.

But, since everything will be freezing in a few months, I decided to introduce some grit to them recently. I bought a bag at a feed store last weekend when I was out on a road trip to the "country" with my friends. (The station wagon was quite a sight after that trip since we were going to The Fold, the midwest spinner's mecca. It was completely loaded with 50-lb bags of layer crumbles, cracked corn, and scratch; a 5-lb bag of grit; bags of various fibers; bags of yarn; and 2 spinning wheels. Plus the four of us!)

I now have a small container of grit and a small container of oyster shell in the covered run at all times so they can help themselves wheneve they feel the need.

Smitty's Farm, you should be able to find grit at a feed store. If you don't have a Tractor Supply Company (TSC) near you, do you have a Farm and Fleet? I saw some grit at the Farm and Fleet in Kankakee a few weeks ago while on another road trip out of the city.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Quote:
I don't know if I have a farm co-op in the area, but I'll look into it.
Thanks!