Grit mixed with oyster shell?

[KimbosKluckers]

Is it ok to have one container with grit and oyster shell mixed? Or must it be separate? 6 pullets, 9 weeks old. Thanks!

 

[Brooks_]

Separate is the best practice.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Separate is the best practice.

I figured…another dish Thank you!

 

[Brooks_]

I figured…another dish Thank you!

Some scatter the grit. And with the right soil, you may not need grit.

Reverse for me. I could probably skip oyster shell. High calcium in the soil here. But it's cheap and doesn't go bad. I offer it.

 

[TooCheep]

I figured…another dish Thank you!

Sorry, it is a minor pain. But chickens can use grit and oyster shell in very different amounts at different points in time. That's also why we don't recommend mixing either in with their feed.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Some scatter the grit. And with the right soil, you may not need grit.

Reverse for me. I could probably skip oyster shell. High calcium in the soil here. But it's cheap and doesn't go bad. I offer it.

I have a grit dish that they scatter themselves Thank you! I haven’t introduced calcium yet.

Sorry, it is a minor pain. But chickens can use grit and oyster shell in very different amounts at different points in time.

Oh no worries, that’s understandable for sure. Thank you!

 

[EddieSalita]

At some point you are going to end up with a dish of all grit or shell. If you aren't on the ball and can easily tell, your chooks will be out of one and you won't know.
This is why it's best practice to not mix them.

You can't monitor what they are using of either one either.

 

[nuthatched]

I figured…another dish Thank you!

Just throw it on the ground. They'll find it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

All chickens require grit, for digestion. Only active layers require oyster shell.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

At some point you are going to end up with a dish of all grit or shell. If you aren't on the ball and can easily tell, your chooks will be out of one and you won't know.
This is why it's best practice to not mix them.

You can't monitor what they are using of either one either.

Makes perfect sense. Thanks!

Just throw it on the ground. They'll find it.

harsh. lol but true?

All chickens require grit, for digestion. Only active layers require oyster shell.

That I get, just wondering about the mixture. Thank you.