Chicken grit is an essential part of keeping chickens healthy and productive. As backyard chicken keepers, providing grit for our flocks is an important responsibility. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about chicken grit – what it is, why chickens need it, and how to provide it properly.
What is Chicken Grit?
Chicken grit refers to coarse, crushed rocks and insoluble granite particles that chickens intentionally swallow to help grind up food in their digestive system.
Since chickens don’t have teeth they need an alternative way to break down the grains bugs, greens, and other food they eat. That’s where grit comes in. Chickens store grit in their gizzard, which is a powerful muscle that contracts to grind the grit against food and break it down into a digestible paste.
There are two main types of grit:
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Insoluble granite grit – This type of grit is also called flint grit. It’s made from granites, quartzes, and other hard, insoluble rocks. Insoluble grit helps chickens grind and digest their food.
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Calcium carbonate grit – This type of grit is made from oyster shells, limestone, and other materials containing calcium. It provides chickens with a calcium supplement to support egg production and bone health.
Chickens need both insoluble grit and calcium grit in their diet. Some commercial chicken grits contain a blend of both.
Why Do Chickens Need Grit?
There are two main reasons chickens need grit:
1. To Grind Food for Digestion
Without grit in their gizzards, chickens cannot properly break down and digest food particles like whole grains, greens, and bugs. Chickens intentionally eat grit to help them grind and digest their food.
In a natural environment, chickens would pick up small pebbles as they forage. But in a coop and run, they need their owners to provide grit
If chickens lack proper grit, their digestive system can become blocked or clogged. This can cause serious health issues like crop impactions. Providing grit ensures your chickens can properly digest their food.
2. To Access Calcium for Eggshells
Laying hens also need calcium grit to produce strong eggshells. The calcium from oyster shell grit gets incorporated into the eggshell as the egg develops in the hen’s reproductive tract.
A lack of calcium can lead to thin, weak eggshells that easily crack and break. Calcium grit gives hens an accessible source of this important mineral.
When Should Chickens Have Access to Grit?
Here are some tips on providing grit at different ages and life stages:
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Baby chicks – Chicks don’t need grit until 2-3 weeks old. Their starter feed is finely ground. But once they start eating treats or greens, provide chick-sized grit.
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Pullets – Immature chickens under 17 weeks old should have insoluble granite grit available at all times. This helps them properly digest food as they grow.
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Laying hens – Provide continual access to a complete grit containing both insoluble granite and calcium carbonate. This supports egg production.
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Non-laying chickens – While the calcium isn’t as crucial, they still need insoluble grit to properly digest food. Keep it available.
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Free-range chickens – Monitor grit intake and supplement with additional grit if needed. Outdoor chickens pick up some grit naturally.
The rule of thumb is to provide age-appropriate grit continuously, except for the first 2 weeks of a chick’s life. This ensures chickens digest their food properly throughout their lives.
How to Provide Grit to Chickens
Here are some tips for making sure chickens get the grit they need:
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Purchase insoluble granite grit and calcium carbonate grit designed for chickens. Look for grit sized appropriately for chicks vs adult chickens.
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Offer grit free choice in a separate bowl or container, not mixed into feed. This allows chickens to consume grit as needed.
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Place grit containers on a raised platform or lip to prevent spillage and waste.
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Replenish grit regularly as chickens will continually eat small amounts. Don’t let containers run low.
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In a coop, allow 1-2 pounds of grit per 10-15 adult chickens. Adjust as needed based on consumption.
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For free-range chickens, occasionally sprinkle grit in outdoor areas to supplement what they find naturally.
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In bad weather when chickens can’t forage, increase grit rations temporarily.
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If chickens aren’t touching their grit, try a different brand or mix insoluble and calcium grit.
By monitoring grit intake and making adjustments, you can ensure your chickens have what they need for optimal digestion and health.
Signs Chickens Need More Grit
Watch for these signs that your chickens may need more grit:
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Noticeable drop in egg production or shell quality
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Increased eating and foraging behaviors
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Changes in manure – loose droppings or undigested food visible
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Lethargy, weight loss, or loss of appetite
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Feathers looking ruffled from discomfort
If you notice any of these signs, increase their access to grit right away. The flock may be lacking proper grit intake.
Health Risks of Grit Deficiency
Chickens denied proper grit are prone to the following health issues:
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Crop impactions or blockages from undigested food
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Malnutrition since food isn’t fully broken down and absorbed
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Egg binding or fragile egg shells due to inadequate calcium
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Gizzard damage from overcompensation and irritation
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Increased parasite load since food passes through the gut mostly undigested
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Higher susceptibility to illnesses since nutrients aren’t fully absorbed
Ensuring adequate grit intake helps avoid these risks and keeps chickens in optimal health. Monitor their manure and eggs for signs of issues.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Grit
Should grit be offered separately from feed?
Yes, grit should be provided in separate containers, not mixed directly into feed. This allows chickens to consume grit voluntarily as needed.
Is sand an acceptable substitute for commercial grit?
No. Sand is not hard or coarse enough to properly grind a chicken’s food. Stick to commercial insoluble granite grit.
How often should I replenish grit supplies?
Check grit containers daily and refill as needed. Aim to never let them get below half full so it’s always available.
Can I use eggshells as homemade calcium grit?
Crushed, baked eggshells can provide calcium but lack the insoluble granite part. Use them to supplement grit, not replace it.
Do chicks and ducklings need grit?
Chicks don’t need grit for the first 2-3 weeks when eating chick starter feed. Ducklings generally don’t need grit until 6-8 weeks old.
Conclusion
What Is Chicken Grit Made Of?
Oyster shell grit is typically made from oyster shells, but you can also make your own grit by grinding up baked eggshells. Flint grit is made from flint or granite milled into very small pieces. Some grit is designed for chicks under the age of 8 weeks. If you have chicks, you will need to feed them this very fine substance until they reach 8 weeks.
Do Chickens Need Grit?
Chickens need grit because they do not have teeth to grind down their food. When left to forage over a larger area, chickens naturally pick up grit in the form of tiny pebbles. They store grit in the gizzard and when the gizzard moves, the food is ground with any grit inside. The food, now a paste, can then pass safely through the digestive tract. The gizzard grinds up the grit, and eventually the grit is small enough to pass through the digestive tract, which is why chickens need to replenish it. Without grit, chickens cannot effectively eat their food and in some cases can suffer from impaction.
Hens also require calcium-rich oyster shell grit to help them with developing strong eggs. Without this nutritional supplement, hens can develop brittle bones or sour crop, especially those who are good layers.
In most cases, backyard chicken owners limit their flock’s foraging to keep them safe from predators. Even with free-range chickens, a piece of land may not have enough of the right kind of small pebbles to help chickens with digestion. It’s a good idea to offer some grit to help a flock.