Old Speckled Hen Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Do they get enough grit free-ranging all day or should I provide some? I have some oyster shell but it seems to be quite large, maybe half a centimeter or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poplars Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 I have quite fine grit in a little pot for if they ever feel deprived, your sounds quite large, not sure if that is ok... Sorry not really much help, someone will know more than me and be here soon I am sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jools+6 Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 we were given pigeon grit by the supplie r . thought it was quite big but if a pigeon can manage to eat it ... we got told to mix a wee bit with thier chopped maize every couple of days or so and use it as a scatter feed in the afternoon . it has oyster shell in it too and the girls are thriving . if they're freeranging like mine they should be gettting plenty naturally . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 My girls free range all day but their area is limited to within 50m of electric fencing. They have a constant supply of mixed grit. The pieces are quite large which seems to be normal so nothing to worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EileenH Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 We got grit from Omlet so that should be fine shouldn`t it? The bits seem quite large in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 I always have Mixed Poultry Grit available for them as a belt and braces approach, but if they are free ranging for long periods, they should be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Mine free range nearly all day, every day. I still provide a pot of mixed grit & oystershell, and they eat their way through it. I had to buy some fine oyster shell and grit for the Littlees but now, 9 weeks on, they prefer the big stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 I bought some oyster shell from a pet shop and it was too large and mine wouldn't eat it. You could smash it up with a hammer. Mine have grit in one of those budgie pots from the pet shop permanently in the run. It does go down in Summer even with mostly all day free ranging, but in Winter they sometimes get through a handful a day. I use Mixed Poultry Grit from Country Wide Farmers (£6 for 25kg sack) and it's got soluble shell in it too. But I do bake egg shells and crush them to add too and the girls pick those out first. As soon as I moved the pot out of the shade to take a picture, they all flocked over for a peek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 That looks like the same size grit I have for mine. I was told to get poultry grit for chickens. The pigeon grit is smaller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 21, 2008 Author Share Posted August 21, 2008 Yes that's what mine looks like. Will put some out tomorrow. Trying to get them in at present .... they're chasing hatching craneflies on the lawn Thanks for all your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Mine wouldn't touch the large grit, so I had to get small grit. They eat a lot of it, and I use a tiny budgie feeder for it. It has definitely made a difference to the egg shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
