where to get grit for four-week old chicks

[farmert]

I read a lot about giving the youngsters grit, but where to find it? I do give them root balls and spread crumbly soil on their food (like a salt shaker full) -- is this enough?

Thanks.

 

[MontanaMomma]

I don't know how much they need, but I've gotten parakeet gravel for mine before. That seemed to work well.

 

[farmert]

what about cat litter? I see our goose use it (fresh).

 

[featheredroots]

I wouldn't use cat litter as it's not designed for consumption, but sand works great. We use play sand, it's cheap, and it's small enough for even tiny chicks.

 

[This_chicks_place]

You can use the regular grit, just put it in a bag and bang it with a hammer. I bring mine out to the driveway to hammer. Makes nice tiny pieces for baby chicks!

 

[ButchGood]

Any feed store will carry chick grit and adult chicken grit. Parakeet grit is available at any pet store. At 4 weeks I would put them outside. They need to get their feet on the grass and dirt. They will scratch and eat dirt and sand and small pebbles. Some say free range chickens do not need grit, they get it on there own. I toss a couple hand fulls into the run every now and then to make sure they have something when they scratch around.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I thought parakeet grit had calcium in it. High calcium is not good for chicks.

 

[ButchGood]

I thought parakeet grit had calcium in it. High calcium is not good for chicks.

I don't think so.....May want to read the label. I thought that's why you put a cuddle bone in with parakeets, to provide calcium.

 

[ButchGood]

I don't think so.....May want to read the label. I thought that's why you put a cuddle bone in with parakeets, to provide calcium.

I did some quick research and you can find parakeet grit that has calcium. Its usually called something like "bird grit plus". Good call, read the ingredients.

 

[cafarmgirl]

I don't think so.....May want to read the label. I thought that's why you put a cuddle bone in with parakeets, to provide calcium.

Yes, for parakeets, but chicks do not need the extra calcium. A lot of parakeet grit is fortified with extra calcium, definitely check the label. As was mentioned, any place that carries chick/chicken feed should have chick grit available. It is finer textured than what full grown chickens eat.