Chicken (insoluble) grit and where to find it

[Chic-chat]

I realise that chooks need two types of grit: soluble and insoluble.

The soluble grit in the form of crushed oyster shells or just shells is easy to find - the chickens then break this down for Calcium (important for layers).

The insoluble grit in the form of flint - which the chickens need to pass food through their gizzard - I can't seem to find anywhere in Australia. Are there any alternatives? I've heard course sand could work. Please help!

 

[chickenlittle21]

It is at most feed stores.

 

[Chic-chat]

It is at most feed stores.

I have been to three pet stores and they only sell the shell grit. If you have some suggestions for Melbourne, Victoria that’d be great?

 

[chickenlittle21]

What type and gender of chickens do you have? If they are all hens they only need the shells.

 

[chickenlittle21]

Tiny pebbles can work as a replacement to grit, they have to be very very small though.

 

[Chic-chat]

Ok I thought chickens always needed it ?? I have mostly hens now and about to get some ducklings which will need it. The chooks free range (20 sq m or so) though so I haven’t worried about it too much until now

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's just crushed rock, so if you can find gravel of the right size (roughly 1/4" / 0.635 cm) it should be fine.

 

[Chic-chat]

It's just crushed rock, so if you can find gravel of the right size (roughly 1/4" / 0.635 cm) it should be fine.

Ok thanks (just no limestone I guess since that would dissolve)

 

[chickenlittle21]

Ok I thought chickens always needed it ?? I have mostly hens now and about to get some ducklings which will need it. The chooks free range (20 sq m or so) though so I haven’t worried about it too much until now

If they free range they don't need it because they find it in the dirt/soil.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok thanks (just no limestone I guess since that would dissolve)

Ideally it would be granite but anything fairly hard that isn't a source of calcium (like limestone) would work.