Too much grit?

[LindaF]

Hi! I'm Linda and I have my first every chicks! So excited about them and about chatting with all of you. Here is my first question. My 11 chicks were hatched on April 22nd making them about 2 1/2 weeks old today. I have been feeding them starter feed free choice in a chick feeder and grit free choice in a cereal bowl in a small brooder-- actually a horse trough in my kitchen. So far they haven't eaten much grit, just a curious nibble now and then. This is what I expected. However, today they ate nearly one full cereal bowl. So I replaced it and now they just devoured a second full bowl! They are in a feeding frenzy over it, even though they have ample clean starter feed right beside it, which they have also been eating just fine. I have been taking my Easter Eggers, Golden Campine, and Wellsumer out to forage for a short time each day this week. Like 15-30 minutes a day. But today I only took 2 of the 7 birds out to forage because it was a cooler day (about78) and thought it might be too cool for the less rambunctious birds. But still all 7 of them are fighting over the grit. The only ones not particularly interested are the 4 Silkies which I haven't taken out to forage. This just seems like too much grit for the 7 of them to be eating, but I do want to give it free choice. Can you tell me if it is possible for them to get too much of it?

 

[redsoxs]

Howdy from Kansas, LindaF, and

! Good to have you in our community! Careful with the grit - it should be sprinkled onto their food as we would salt our food so they don't too much of it. Chicks, not knowing any better, can actually fill up with grit and not eat their food. Good luck to you!

 

[LindaF]

Thanks, Redsox!

 

[drumstick diva]

I think that is why chickens are not rocket scientists tho some may argue that point.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[BlueHenDel]

Hi! I'm Linda and I have my first every chicks! So excited about them and about chatting with all of you. Here is my first question. My 11 chicks were hatched on April 22nd making them about 2 1/2 weeks old today. I have been feeding them starter feed free choice in a chick feeder and grit free choice in a cereal bowl in a small brooder-- actually a horse trough in my kitchen. So far they haven't eaten much grit, just a curious nibble now and then. This is what I expected. However, today they ate nearly one full cereal bowl. So I replaced it and now they just devoured a second full bowl! They are in a feeding frenzy over it, even though they have ample clean starter feed right beside it, which they have also been eating just fine. I have been taking my Easter Eggers, Golden Campine, and Wellsumer out to forage for a short time each day this week. Like 15-30 minutes a day. But today I only took 2 of the 7 birds out to forage because it was a cooler day (about78) and thought it might be too cool for the less rambunctious birds. But still all 7 of them are fighting over the grit. The only ones not particularly interested are the 4 Silkies which I haven't taken out to forage. This just seems like too much grit for the 7 of them to be eating, but I do want to give it free choice. Can you tell me if it is possible for them to get too much of it?

Hi, Linda! Welcome to BYC!

Del

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

Official BYC Coop Page Contest - Fall-Winter 2017

The 9th Annual BYC Easter Hatchalong!

 

[drumstick diva]

This is considered a Zombie thread - no op responses in 3 years.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Happy to have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
I'm no rocket scientist either, but agree with the above posters.