Why spend $ for grit when I have sand?

[cmom]

I do buy grit. I have a lot of sand, but it is very fine. A little grit goes a long way. Every now and then I see the birds pick at the grit.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

I have never fed grit before, but my birds were always on pellets.

However I just switched everyone to their show diet of straight, whole oats. They needed the extra sharp edges of the crushed granite grit to digest the whole oats properly. Sand wouldn't have sufficed, although I can't be certain since I haven't used it. However, I would personally rather spend the extra money to ensure that my birds are getting every bit of nourishment from the feed I give them.

 

[Katy]

Sand/gravel works fine for their grit. I've fed mine oats and other grains as their treats for 35+ years and never bought grit. Chickens have been using sand for their grit forever. When I have someone penned off the ground I put a small dish of sand in their pen. Save your money.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
As their TREATS! .....Have you fed them a diet of strictly whole oats?

 

[Katy]

Quote:
As their TREATS! .....Have you fed them a diet of strictly whole oats?

Not in recent times, but when they used to free-range I'm sure pretty much their whole diet was made up of bugs and whole grains that they found spilled around the grain bins. I'd think they'd need more than just oats for their diet. Why do you feed them only oats?