Would this grit be okay?

[mediazeal]

Today I went to the feed store and bought chick grit, says so right on the bag...... and guess what, it also has oyster shell in it
I assume that means it's actually ok in the proportions they have in the mix
it's not calcium fortifided
more experienced folks will have to weigh in on this, I have no clue

 

[cmom]

Chick grit is the same as regular granite grit only finer. You can also use pigeon grit which is granite grit. I have bought it when I couldn't get any other and just smashed it a litttle bit finer for the chicks. The only place around me that sells chick grit is Tractor Supply.

 

[cmom]

I didn't know it but the TSC chick grit has some calcium too. I just learned something. I thought it was just granite.


http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...10551_10001_48678_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

Type: Grit Small
Appearance: Crushed Granite
Active Ingredients: Calcium (min) 10.00%, Calcium (max) 12.00%, Salt (min) 1.00%, Salt (max) 2.00%, Charcoal 1.20%

 

[Skip]

I don't buy grit. I let my chickens range over the gravel driveway.

 

[cmom]

A chicken's food goes, as is, into the crop, where it is slowly funneled into a very small " stomach" for some digestive additives--then to the Gizzard, where it is 'chewed', that is, ground into material that can be digested as it moves into the intestines and so on. The Gizzard is best able to break down whole grains and other chunky bits that they eat when full of grit. Longest lasting grit is Granite, that lasts well. All other rock and stone is so much softer, that it wears down fast and that is why granite grit is best choice, works really well for best utilization of feeds. My baby chicks are given free choice and they choose it with pleasure, baby grit is fine Granite, as soon as they are given anything besides Starter Crumbles. Their tiny gizzards are at optimum function at an early age.

 

[wordgirl]

WOW!

I didn't think I'd get so much feedback! Thanks everybody! You're all such a big help!

 

[silkieluver]

So, I am still confused. TSC's grit has some calcium, so is it OK to give parakeet grit that has SOME calcium? I bought some today for my 3-4 day olds and they seemed to love it. Should I not give them anymore?

 

[wordgirl]

I just looked at the Hartz Gravel 'n Grit again – it does NOT say Calcium Fortified, but in the ingredients it listed Calcium Carbonate. Is it safe to use?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I didn't encounter any problems with using the plain hartz parakeet gravel, but again only used it for a short time. As soon as they were out and about in the yard (around 2 1/2 weeks) I offered them a pan of dirt that contained small pebbles. They picked out the size pieces they needed.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Yeah, and it doesn't say calcium fortified, but it says guaranteed analysis something like 11% calcium

I gave it to them anyway, since it's FOR chicks and I don't think they are actually going to eat a whole lot of it, ya know? If their food had 11% calcium that would be terrible, but since they're only picking out a couple of pebbles a day it doesn't seem like a huge deal. Plus it has that iodine coating (red color), which is supposed to be really good for them.

I was just getting small rocks from my driveway, but my driveway isn't very much gravel, so I was actually running out. If you have a lot of granite or gravel then you should be set.