Eglu Go With 2m Run For Sale

[nannyhenny]

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!

[jackian]

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 .

[Egluntyne]

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.

[nannyhenny]

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!

[smartrus]

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!!!

[daxigirl]

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.

[nannyhenny]

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!