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

[Abbey Road Girl]

I have been using Omlet's Mixed Chicken Grit but am about to run out and have turned to the grit that I got from Wiggly Wigglers when ordering something else from them. It is much finer than the Omlet grit and may have been meant for bird table feeding and not chickens.

 

It says that it will strengthen egg shells but that's important for wild birds as well.

 

Does anyone know if the grit has to be more the size of a dried pea or will grit that's more like rough meal do the trick?

 

I'm not too worried because they have free ranged for at least two hours every day since I got them (with a single exception) and their run is part soil based.

 

Still all advice appreciated.

[Egluntyne]

The grit I use has pieces of all shapes and sizs and identifable bits of sea shell too.

[judith67]

The first grit i ever gave my girls was the mixed up sizes and pieces as described by Egluntine. I then ordered some from somewhere else and it was much finer like you described, almost like dust . However I have now just finished that tub and am back to the mixed up stuff again. I can tell you there was no difference in egg production, they still ate it in the same quantities etc etc. so i dont think you've got anything to worry about.

[chickenanne]

The grit we use is not as big as dried pea-size, more the same size as a grain of corn, though some is bigger ans some smaller. I've fed them this for about 15-18 months with no problems.

 

Hope this helps!

[helenmb]

I've also used both in the past - the bigger stuff if very cheap from a farm shop or pet feed supplier (£7 for 25 kg I think I paid and I still have some left a year later ). The finer stuff is useful for adding to layers mash/meal if you want to up the calcium a bit but they will just pick up the larger grit as it helps them digest stuff in their gizzard. If they are free-ranging they will naturally pick up little stones to do this but the oyster grit is made up of a specific substance that is very high in the right sort of digestable calcium, hence the reason why it is used so much.

 

You can just spinkle some of the finer stuff into their feed or have a little pot available for them to peck into as and when they wish.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful and reassuring.

 

I think I will order some of the larger mixed grit and mix the two for peace of mind.

[Hen Watch]

Some time ago I emailed Country Wide Farmers Stores about grit, this was their reply (prices may have changed as I emailed 15 months ago).

 

"Countrywide stock the following poultry grits:

Chick Grit 25kg = £6.49

Hen Grit 25kg = £5.49

Marine Shell Grit (oyster shell) 25kg = £6.99

Mixed Poultry Grit 25kg = £5.49

The pieces of the grits are different sizes according to the size/age of the bird"

 

I bought mixed poultry grit (so it's got soluable shell in too) and mine love it. This is the stuff -

[PurpleTree]

I've got the mixed poultry grit from Country Wide too, I've even got it in the same little feeder as Hen Watch. My girls seem to be happy with it.

[cathybc]

hello, I seem to be having a dim few moments - I can't find the Country Wide website. Could someone help out and post a link, pretty please ? Many thanks

[Falkor]

hello, I seem to be having a dim few moments - I can't find the Country Wide website. Could someone help out and post a link, pretty please ? Many thanks

 

http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/Home.ice

 

is the link i think but I have just looked and they don`t list grit?

 

I have brought some grit which is just called Hen Grit, I got 1kg for £1.01 and thought it was a bargain but after reading your posts it seems not!

[Hen Watch]

http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/Home.ice

 

is the link i think but I have just looked and they don`t list grit?

 

I have brought some grit which is just called Hen Grit, I got 1kg for £1.01 and thought it was a bargain but after reading your posts it seems not!

 

They don't list grit on their website but they do sell it in the shops but each shop is different size so best to ring before visiting to see what they stock.