Ensuring your chickens have the right type and amount of chicken grit is crucial for their digestive health and overall well-being. Whether you're raising backyard chickens for eggs, meat, or as pets, understanding the role of grit for chickens in their diet can help prevent digestive issues.
This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the importance of chicken grit, from understanding what it is to how to provide it and recognizing when your chickens need it most. Whether you're curious about the different types of grit, like flint and oyster shell, or wondering how to supplement their diet with eggshells, you'll find all the answers here. We'll also cover practical aspects such as the cost and availability of chicken grit, and the specific needs of different chicken breeds and ages. By the end, you'll be equipped to ensure your flock's digestive health is well cared for.
Table of Contents
What is Grit and Why Do Chickens Need It?
Grit is a collection of small hard particles such as pebbles, eggshells, or flint that chickens ingest to increase their calcium intake and aid in digestion.
Chickens utilize grit in place of teeth to breakdown their food. Without grit in their chickens have a hard time breaking down food and can suffer impaction, sour crop, or other digestive issues.
For the health and safety of our hens, we consider grit to be an essential item that all chicken owners should supply to their hens regularly. To learn about other recommended essential tools read our article.
What is Insoluble Chicken Grit (Flint Grit)?
Insoluble (aka Flint Grit) aids chickens' digestion. Flint Grit is often made of flint or granite that has been ground down to very small pieces, but can also include small pebbles chickens find foraging.
The key to insoluble grit is that it does not dissolve in water. Rather it breaks down slowly over time from the repeated grinding as the grit processes the food.
What is Soluble Grit for Chickens(Oyster Shell Grit)?
Soluble Grit is a calcium supplement that hardens eggshells. As the name implies it comes from oyster shells but can also come from limestone or eggshells.
This is the most common grit supplement homesteaders utilize as it is affordable ($15 to $20 for a 50 pound bag).
The added bonus of oyster shells is that they provide a source of calcium to the chickens. This is especially important for productive egg layers as they can deplete their calcium reserves to the point that it comes from their bones. This leads to health complications and shorter lifespans.
When To Feed Chickens Grit?
It depends on their diet. Chickens that are solely fed commercial feed, and are not given supplemental treats and snacks, or the opportunity to forage likely don't need a grit supplement as the feed is soft enough that chickens can break it down on their own.
On the other hand, if your chickens do get snacks and treats or forage, a grit supplement would be additive.
Additionally, productive egg laying chickens can deplete their calcium while producing eggs. Without a supplement hens can deplete their calcium to the point where their bones become brittle.
For chickens that are strong egg producers or eat table scraps it is recommended to ensure they have access to grit.
Why Do Chickens Need Grit?
Chickens' gizzards grind the grit as they process food until it becomes fine and passes through their digestive system. This process naturally depletes grit overtime. Without grit chickens can develop sour crop where they are unable to digest their food and it begins to rot. Sour crop is a serious condition and can require surgery.
Signs Your Chickens Need Grit
Eggshell quality is one of the most noticeable indicators that your chickens might need more grit in their diet. Without adequate grit, chickens struggle to properly digest their food, which can lead to poor nutrient absorption, including calcium.
This calcium deficiency often results in eggs with thin, soft, or misshapen shells. If you notice that your chickens are laying eggs with fragile shells or even no shell at all, it's a clear sign that they might need more grit to help with digestion. Grit plays a crucial role in breaking down feed, allowing the chickens to better absorb the nutrients necessary for producing strong, healthy eggshells.
Additionally, chickens may exhibit signs of discomfort, such as lethargy or a bloated crop, as their digestive system struggles to break down food properly. Ensuring that your chickens have access to grit, especially if they are not free-ranging, is essential to prevent these issues and maintain their overall health.
How to Provide Grit to Chickens
Providing grit to chickens is a simple yet essential part of ensuring their health and well-being. Here’s how you can do it:
Separate Grit Station: The easiest way to offer grit to your chickens is by placing it in a separate container, away from their regular feed. This allows the chickens to consume grit as needed. You can use a small dish or a grit feeder designed specifically for this purpose.
Scatter on the Ground: If your chickens are free-ranging, you can scatter grit directly on the ground in their foraging area. This mimics their natural behavior of picking up small stones and pebbles while they scratch and peck at the ground.
Mix with Feed: Another option is to mix a small amount of grit directly into their feed. This ensures that all chickens get some grit as they eat, but be careful not to overdo it—grit should only be a small part of their diet.
Free-Choice Feeder: Consider providing grit in a free-choice feeder, where chickens can access it at will. This is particularly useful if you have a mixed flock with chickens of different ages and needs.
We provide our chickens with a mix of grit options to ensure they get what they need. They always have free-choice access to grit, so they can take it as they need it. Additionally, we mix crushed eggshells into their food and scatter some on the ground. This approach not only helps with their digestion but also gives them an extra boost of calcium for stronger eggshells, making it a simple and effective way to keep them healthy.
By offering grit in these ways, you help maintain your chickens' digestive health, leading to better overall nutrition and stronger eggshells.
Cost and Availability of Chicken Grit
Chicken grit is generally affordable and widely available at feed stores, farm supply stores, and online retailers. The cost can vary depending on the type and brand, but a 5-pound bag typically ranges from $5 to $10. Our local feed store sells 50 pound bags of oyster shells for $20.
For those who raise a large flock, purchasing in bulk can reduce the overall cost. Additionally, eggshells can be a cost-effective alternative, especially if you already have laying hens. This makes grit both an economical and accessible supplement for maintaining your chickens' health.
How Much Grit Do Chickens Need?
Many homesteaders utilize "free choice method." This means that grit is consistently available in a feeder to the chickens, and they can eat it freely. The rule of thumb it that is should not consist of more than 1/20th of their diet.
For smaller chickens it is recommended to keep an eye on them. There have been instances where they mistake grit for their regular feed. This overindulgence can lead to an impacted crop.
We follow the free choice method ourselves and have never had an issue with it. We find the chickens do a good job of regulating how much they truly need.
Eggshells as Grit for Chickens
We utilize the eggshells we have and feed our chickens ground and baked eggshells to supplement. This is done by baking eggshells at 350 for 10 minutes. This ensures that harmful bacteria have been removed and the shells are dried and sanitized.
Once the shells have cooled use your hands or a spoon to crush them into small pieces. It is important to ensure the eggshells are no longer in the shape of an egg as this will encourage chickens to peck and eat their own eggs in the future. The broken shells can be scattered or placed in a feeder for free choice grazing.
Do Chickens Get Grit On Their Own?
Chickens have a natural instinct that when they are foraging, they will ingest small pebbles and stones as a form of insoluble grit.
Do Chickens Have Teeth?
No, chickens do not have teeth. Instead of teeth, they use their beaks to peck and break down food. Chickens also have a specialized digestive system with a gizzard, which contains small stones or grit that help grind up food, serving the function that teeth would in other animals.
What Age to Start Giving Chickens Grit?
Grit can be provided to chickens as young as 2 weeks (14 days) old. It is important to ensure the grit is small enough that it can be digested for a chicken that size.
What Chicken Breeds Need Grit The Most?
We offer free choice oyster shells to strengthen the shells of eggs. We have noticed if our chickens are deficient in calcium as her eggshells are often brittle.
Not to mention a prolonged calcium deficiency can lead to severe health complications and a shortened lifespan.
Due to this chicken breeds that are strong layers need a consistent supply of grit and calcium. Here are the breeds that need this the most.
Final Thoughts
Providing chickens with free range grit is generally recommended but can be dependent on their diet. Both soluble and insoluble grit helps chickens process their food. In severe case without a grit supplement chickens can get life threatening illnesses.
An easy and affordable method to provide grit is by allowing free range access to baked eggshells which also provide calcium, this is very important for productive egg laying chickens.
Learn More
Raising Chickens A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners: Ready to embark on your chicken-raising adventure? This comprehensive guide is tailored for beginners, covering all the basics of raising chickens and ensuring a successful and rewarding experience.
Golden Comet Chicken Guide: If you're looking for a friendly and productive addition to your backyard flock, the Golden Comet chicken may be just what you need.
Raising Sex-Link Chickens: Sex Link Chickens are well known hybrids that produce an abundance of eggs and tend to be tolerant to heat and cold weather. These are just a few reasons why this breed has become increasingly popular.
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