Funny Feathers Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I understand the necessity of grit for the girls. What I'd like to know is whether it has to be mixed in with their food or whether it would be ok for me to sprinkle it all over their run and get them to have to work a bit, trying to find it as they scratch around? Would that be an ok thing to do? I would like happy, busy hens... I await your answers chicken experts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrambledhead Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Well I am definitely not an expert but I leave some grit out for my girls in a cage cup and they help themselves. They don't seem to take much but they do get to free range most afternoons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 No expert either but i just sprinkle it every day around the edges of the wir and they do dig in the earth as well so i just put it in that too..not sure what happens to it but at least its available. I may put it in a pot but i can see that going everywhere.?? indie ps thats what other omleters told me to do as i asked the same question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I leave it in a pot for them to help themselves ad lib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I have some in a covered feeder but also throw it on the ground as they don't get to freerange an awful lot and so they come across the grit in their scratching about so that seems a little more natural to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Mine have it in a plastic coup cup permanently in the run. Some weeks I top it up every few days, sometimes they go for months without touching it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I have a little cup in the run and also I throw some around the run and their free range area. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hangman Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 We have a small cup which attaches to the run - ground eggshells work well as grit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Eggshells are fine as soluble 'grit', but the hens also need insoluble grit, for the grinding of food in the gizzard. I give my girls Mixed Poultry Grit, which contains flint and bits of seashell, providing both soluble and insoluble grit. There are many who advocate the use of flint grit only. If the hen is free ranging most of the time, it should be picking up stones of assorted sizes to do he job in the gizzard, so there is an argument for not giving extra insoluble grit, but if they are in the run for largeish chunks of most days, then it is advisable to provide it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hangman Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Eggshells are fine as soluble 'grit', but the hens also need insoluble grit, for the grinding of food in the gizzard. I give my girls Mixed Poultry Grit, which contains flint and bits of seashell, providing both soluble and insoluble grit. There are many who advocate the use of flint grit only. If the hen is free ranging most of the time, it should be picking up stones of assorted sizes to do he job in the gizzard, so there is an argument for not giving extra insoluble grit, but if they are in the run for largeish chunks of most days, then it is advisable to provide it. Absolutely - I should have really included that in my post I really need to get out of the habit of presuming everyone free ranges - whilst they should, it's not always possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I have some in an old flowerpot and also scatter some about in my WIR sometimes for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tania Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Mine have a pot in the run and help themselves. I mix baked eggshell (crushed) with poultry grit. At the moment they are eating all the eggshell like sweets but then they'll go for ages without touching it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I use this! http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Plastic_Galley_Pots__3_.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I have some in an old flowerpot and also scatter some about in my WIR sometimes for them. I have some in a pot, which they tip over and scatter in the run themselves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funny Feathers Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 Thanks all - you are a mine of information! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I got sick of my girls perching on the pot of grit or tipping it off so I got one of these for the grit, they are fab! http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Grey_Feeder_Drinker_Grit_Pot.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
