seeds/grains visible in poop

[pbwhit]

Kind of an icky topic, but I've been supplementing my 2, new Light Brahma hens' crumbles with a scattering of quinoa and amaranth, oat groats, etc., from somebody's great list on this site. But I noticed the undigested?? tiny seeds in their poop. Does that mean they're not benefiting from it?

sorry no personal tag or photo yet. I'm in Lexington, Kentucky.

 

[AmyBella]

How old are they? Are you feeding grit to aid digestion?

 

[pbwhit]

Thanks for your reply They're just at a year old. I'm feeding crushed oyster shells. Is that enough?

 

[Mr_Jeff]

Oyster shell is a nutritional supplement used to ensure they are getting enough calcium in their diet. This is not the same as grit. You can get poultry grit at the feedstore. They eat it and use it to predigest grains and such in their gizzard. This is a muscular organ where recently eaten food is stored for a short time. The grit is ground against the food in order to break it down. Some grain will pass through the bird undigested, though. A small amount is not bad, as this is a method used by many plants to propagate.

 

[luvbiddies]

Although I have mixed grit in my chicken feed, my husband (who works construction) brings road gravel home and scattered it out on the sand and they love it.
Lisa

 

[pbwhit]

Thank you so much for your help. I will get some grit straight away!