nannyhenny Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 This is a question my little grandson asked me - and I have no idea of the answer! Please help; 'What happens to the grit after the hens have eaten it? It's not in the eggs or in the poo - so does their tummy melt it? Over to you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 What a question Out of the mouths of babes as they say ,I have not got a clue but it has me thinking now .He deserves the biggest egg with toasted soldiers for that . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 It stays in their gizzard and grinds up their food. If they are given mixed grit, ie the sort with bits of shell in it, the shell very slowly dissolves, and is a source of calcium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannyhenny Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 Well, yes, we know it goes into their gizzard and what for - but it can't all stay there, can it? Else their gizzard would get bigger and bigger or they wouldn't need to go on eating it cos it would last forever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartrus Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Hi, your question got me thinking, so I googled it! It says that it sits I the gizzard acting like teeth grinding up seeds and stuff. Apparently when they get too smooth to do the job, they are either passed or regurgitated! Nice!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Yes it does go through. Just this morning I was poop collecting (dog & chook) from the grass before I cut it and there were a couple that had a quantity of the small shingles in them. Wouldn't have given it a second thought if Archie hadn't asked his question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannyhenny Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Thank you everyone! Actually it all does make sense - some dissolves to provide calcium in the body and some gets ground down smooth and fine and is passed - either up or down. Archie was very interested in the latter process and I'm afraid that next time he comes round we will be dissecting poo to find evidence! Lovely! What more could a four year old want? What incredibly strong gizzard muscles they must have, though - amazing animals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
