4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[jill the potter]

Hi,

 

I feed my girls on layers pellets, they free range for most of the day (as my poor grass will testify!!! ), and have a small treat in the afternoon, some grapes or tomatoes, or oats, or sunflower seeds. Do I need to give them extra grit. The breeder when we bought them said layers pellets alone was enough. Only one girl laying at the moment, think Tikka is not quite mature enough.

 

Also was told that they would not need to be wormed for 12 months but everyone on here seems to do it more regularly. Can you over-worm? Opinions please

[welsh sarah]

hi Jill

i have never fed mine grit either, but they free range all day and i have a big garden so maybe they pick up enough themselves, i dont think you need to rush out and buy some, see what everyone else says

sarah

[Gamebird]

My chickens free range all day but they still have access to a pot of mixed grit which I do have to top up every now and then so I know they are using it.

[Lisa]

My friend told me to bake the egg shells, crush them and use them as grit. The girls seem to like this but I also have grit and oyster shell and have not had any softies yet! I am sure someone who knows a lot more than me will be along to answer your concerns.

[chickenanne]

Grit sits in tehir crop and helps grind up food, as they don't have teeth. So whilst layers pellets are a complete FOOD, I wouldn't say grit was "food"...if you see how I mean!

So yes, they definitely need some grit as well as pellets etc.

 

Egg shells are great for calcium etc, but they don't really work as grit that effectively.

 

If they're free ranging they may be picking up enough grit from the garden.

 

Personally, I add to this just-in-case. Any very small pebbly-bits will do, and it's very cheap.

[Egluntyne]

If they are free ranging they should pick up enough grit.

 

Mixed poultry grit, does, however contain fragments of oyster shell and other seashells, and provides a source of calcium.

 

Mine free range as often as poss, but I always leave out a couple of plant pots full of mixed poultry grit , and the levels do go down.

 

Re the worming.....opinions vary. If they are free ranging, they will very likely pick up worms as slugs, snails and earthworms act as intermediate hosts for cettain intestinal worms, and with wild birds flying over and contaminating the area with their faeces, they will pick other worm ova up that way. I give mine Flubenvet every three to four months, as an infestation can make hens very sick indeed.

[jill the potter]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. Will get some grit and then it least it will be available if they want it. What I did notice today was that I'd put some sand in their favourite spot for dust bathing as the ground was too damp, they were pecking at that and I think eating some of it!

 

Will also get something to worm them - do I have to get that from the vet? I've have seen some online that everyone seems to use 'flubenvet', and get ready with the grapes!!!!!!!

 

Also must learn how to post some photos - I tend to give up if things are too complicated!!!!! Took me a while to get my signature right!!!

[Egluntyne]

Info about posting photos **here**.

 

You can get Flubenvet online. Probably cheaper than at your vet. Google around for the best price.

[bronze]

I dont buy grit and give mine crushed up egg shell occasionally. I have never had a softie that I can remember.

[TheCoop]

I have a bag of mixed pultry grit that we bought in march when we got our 3 chooks. We still have loads left, but I grab a handful and mix it in with the food (layers pellets) that we have in the plastic dustbin where we keep the food.

 

They free range also, so I expect they pick up bits & pieces as well. As for worming, I have worming pellets (Vermex I think) which I sprinkle over their food once a month (though I haven't done it for a couple of months! )

 

They all seem to be in fine fettle at the moment!