My eco solution to rat problems

[riane]

Rita and mavis seem to be eating lots of grit. I have had to order 4 more buckets they seem to eat a large plant pot saucer full each day. is this right? should I ration it? if so how much for two chickens? tar

[Popcorn]

Have you tried mixing the grit in with their mash or pellets Maria? They do need it in their diets, but I wouldn't say they'd need as much as the amount your girls are getting through. They will pick up grit from the garden if you let them free-range too. They are all different and all have their own needs. I wouldn't be overly worried, they'll take just what they need.

 

I use a peanut feeder with a half and half mixture of layers mash, oyster shell and grit - alongside a feeder full of mash. It's generally over a month before I have to refill the grit feeder

Edited April 4, 2007 by Guest

[Sheilaz]

They do seem to be getting through a lot, perhaps you have particularly yummy grit.

However, they do need access to grit all day as they can't process food without it, so it can't really be rationed.

I've no idea what a usual amouint is for 2 hens in a run, but if they're taking it, it must be because they need it.

Perhaps you need to buy a large sack this time, which I thought would last ages!

[debratugwell]

Glad someone put a post on about this. As a newie, I bought a bag of "bird grit" which is a lot smaller than the ordinary chicken grit I now find. Do you think it would still be ok to carry on using this until it has gone????

[Sheilaz]

Yes, it won't do any harm. For future, if you can, get poultry grit with oyster shell. The bigger the bag, the cheaper it is, probably from wherever you buy the feed.

PS. I bought budgie feed when I was looking for oyster shell, it hardly lasted 5 mins...much finer & expensive for tiny bag.

But they still enjoyed it.

[debratugwell]

Yes, it won't do any harm. For future, if you can, get poultry grit with oyster shell. The bigger the bag, the cheaper it is, probably from wherever you buy the feed.

PS. I bought budgie feed when I was looking for oyster shell, it hardly lasted 5 mins...much finer & expensive for tiny bag.

But they still enjoyed it.

 

Thanks for that

[riane]

Have you tried mixing the grit in with their mash or pellets Maria? They do need it in their diets, but I wouldn't say they'd need as much as the amount your girls are getting through. They will pick up grit from the garden if you let them free-range too. They are all different and all have their own needs. I wouldn't be overly worried, they'll take just what they need.

 

I use a peanut feeder with a half and half mixture of layers mash, oyster shell and grit - alongside a feeder full of mash. It's generally over a month before I have to refill the grit feeder

Thank you for that tip I will try that