Shell grit

Jeremy · **Joined:** Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:24 pm **Posts:** 3

You can mix a little bit in with the duck starter

ashley&mum · **Joined:** Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:56 am **Posts:** 5

I use parrot grit I think its made by vetafarm the chooks love it dad covered it with chicken wire they can't scratch it out but can still eat it through the wire works neat

Roova · **Posted:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:11 am

In my opinion it isn't the best idea to mix grit with feed. Especially depending on what of grit it is. It is better to offer it in a separate container so they can take what they need as opposed to eating it unintentionally.

The grit is to replace small stones the bird stores in its gizzard which act like teeth and are used to grind up food. If they were free ranging and had access to dirt and different sized stones they would pick up what they need naturally.

Generally its is shellgrit which is bought for poultry which will contain calcium and as ducklings are real little gutses they can end up eating too much if its with their food. Chicken / duckling crumbles already contain appropriate amounts of calcium and eating extra can cause problems.

Along the same lines, be careful not to confuse oyster shell with grit as oyster shell is generally used as a calcium boost for laying hens. This can cause bone development problems in growing ducklings and chickens.

If they're kicking it out of the containers then try different methods. You could try lifting the container a little higher so they can't easily step in to it, you could try using a hanging container so there is no way they can stand in it, or the excellent suggestion earlier of putting wire over the top so they can't scratch it out.

mumshens · **Joined:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:23 pm **Posts:** 4

Is it ok to feed new born chicks shell grit I worry they will choke

Roova · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:48 pm

If they are being fed exclusively on crumbles I would say no. Once you start offering other feeds you could probably supply a little tub then. Its more the whole grains and other foods that need grit to aid in digesting. IMO.

mumshens · **Joined:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:23 pm **Posts:** 4

I was thinking of a small amount in with the crumbles to help with calcium supply?

Roova · **Posted:** Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:23 am

All manufactured crumbles and pellets are nutritionally balanced so you won't need to increase their calcium content.

This can in fact cause problems with growing bones if they are taking in too much calcium.

mumshens · **Joined:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:23 pm **Posts:** 4

Ok thank you, so should I start them on grit at say 6 weeks old then?

Roova · **Posted:** Fri Mar 12, 2010 2:44 pm

Just to save typing it again I'll quote what I typed earlier:

Once you start offering other feeds you could probably supply a little tub then. Its more the whole grains and other foods that need grit to aid in digesting. In my opinion :-D

mumshens · **Joined:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:23 pm **Posts:** 4

Ok thanks I just want to give them the best start I can

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