sti chick Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 went out today and brought some oyster shell grit. Was told that i need hen grit as well as one is needed for the shells and the other for the chickens digestion? now i am very confused please help me. Also brought some mixed corn (treat food only). But we wasn't sure whether to get pellets or mash food.....can you advise? is there anything else you think i might need??? you probably have answered these questions many many times so i thank you for your patience with me. lin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 If you buy 'mixed grit' it should have the grit in it (that they need to grind up the food 'cos they don't have teeth!), and the oyster shell for calcium. So you need both. If they free-range a lot they should get lots of grit in the garden but I would still put a dish full of mixed grit in the run. You can get coop cups that fit on the side. Layers mash is a lot more fun for them to eat but very messy. Pellets are more boring but very practical as they are not so messy. I would give them what they are used to. I give mine pellets but use Layers mash with bokashi bran for a treat. You can get it from wiggly wigglers and they love it Hope this helps, Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I do like moomin and have a flowerpot of mixed grit which has shell and grit in it for them which they occasionally have, but I throw some on the ground if they've had snacks which they fight over. Mine just have pellets which came with them + garlic powder (supposed to stop poo smelling) but don't make the mistake I did by putting corn in it cos they just chuck the pellets out and eat the corn. Now they have corn thrown in to get them in the run. That was a good buy they'll do anything for it. I tie bits of veg up for them to keep them happy. So a wire holder to put veg peelings in is useful but it needs quite big holes for their beaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...