What is the difference between feed and grit?

[shalynnbrothers]

I have pine shavings for bedding and chick starter feed...... am I supposed to have grit as well?

 

[MrsEskew]

Grit is for when you start feeding them other things besides chick feed. They don't have teeth, so they need grit to help break down and digest things like grass, scraps, or basically any other thing besides their chick feed. If the only thing you are feeding right now is chick feed then you don't have to worry about giving it to them yet. If you let them free range when they get older, they should be able to find their own, but if not any feed store that deals with poultry should carry it.

 

[nchls school]

I have pine shavings for bedding and chick starter feed...... am I supposed to have grit as well?

Feed provides nutrients and energy. Grit is used by the crop to grind hard pieces of food into smaller pieces. Chicks do not need grit while on starter, but when fed harder foods like whole or cracked grains it should be given. Good clean sand makes a good grit. Chickens that are allowed outside/free run do not need to be given grit as they will find what they need on their own.

 

[shalynnbrothers]

Grit is for when you start feeding them other things besides chick feed. They don't have teeth, so they need grit to help break down and digest things like grass, scraps, or basically any other thing besides their chick feed. If the only thing you are feeding right now is chick feed then you don't have to worry about giving it to them yet. If you let them free range when they get older, they should be able to find their own, but if not any feed store that deals with poultry should carry it.

Oh, okay! I'll get some grit because I'd love to give them some treats, like meal worms, spinach or lettuce. Thanks for your help!

 

[shalynnbrothers]

Feed provides nutrients and energy. Grit is used by the crop to grind hard pieces of food into smaller pieces. Chicks do not need grit while on starter, but when fed harder foods like whole or cracked grains it should be given. Good clean sand makes a good grit. Chickens that are allowed outside/free run do not need to be given grit as they will find what they need on their own.

So I should get grit if I'd like to give them lettuce, spinach, tomato, or meal worms?

 

[nchls school]

So I should get grit if I'd like to give them lettuce, spinach, tomato, or meal worms?

There will be differing opinions on this. Grit is only needed with hard foods that need to be broken/crushed into smaller pieces. Those items you have listed do not require grit.