Will cracked corn do in place of grit?

[Chocorobo12]

They are pets and have no access to dirt, I feed them a variety of different fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains. Will I need to buy grit? Or will cracked corn suffice?

 

[JedJackson]

Grits is what they need to process the corn and other food in their crops so they can digest it. If your birds have no access to soil, then yes, they need grit. Especially if they are eating any type of whole or cracked grain.

 

[Chocorobo12]

To elaborate further their typical meal consists of: cooked beans, another protein source (cooked green peas) whole wheat pasta (cooked), a mixture of different fruits and vegetables chopped finely. I don't ever give them raw grains, do I still need to give them grit?

 

[Chocorobo12]

Grits is what they need to process the corn and other food in their crops so they can digest it. If your birds have no access to soil, then yes, they need grit. Especially if they are eating any type of whole or cracked grain.

To elaborate further their typical meal consists of: cooked beans, another protein source (cooked green peas) whole wheat pasta (cooked), a mixture of different fruits and vegetables chopped finely. I don't ever give them raw grains, do I still need to give them grit?
They are pretty overweight right now, so I don't think they are malnourished, is grit absolutely necessary? I thought incorporating cracked corn would do the trick since its coarse and has sharp edges, will that on do in place of grit?

 

[JedJackson]

Grit is needed to grind up grain and seeds in the crop to make it digestible. Since chickens don't have teeth, the process occurs in their crops. Without the grit, they don't get much nutrition out of the grain, and they can suffer from impacted crops.

However, if you aren't feeding them hard grains or seeds then they probably don't need grit. Commercial laying hens never get it and don't need it because they only eat processed feed.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Since you are in the duck forum, I imagine this is about ducks. To be clear ducks and chickens need grit when they are fed anything other than commercial feed. Grit works in the gizzard to break up food. Corn would not be considered grit. It must be pebbles that aren't digestible. Grit works in the gizzard and breaks up the food to be digested. It works the same in chickens as it does ducks.
I provide grit throughout the year in separate containers in the run, but mine really only need it when the ground is frozen.
Being overweight isn't good, so maybe cut them back so they can live a longer life.

 

[Chocorobo12]

Since you are in the duck forum, I imagine this is about ducks. To be clear ducks and chickens need grit when they are fed anything other than commercial feed. Grit works in the gizzard to break up food. Corn would not be considered grit. It must be pebbles that aren't digestible. Grit works in the gizzard and breaks up the food to be digested. It works the same in chickens as it does ducks.
I provide grit throughout the year in separate containers in the run, but mine really only need it when the ground is frozen.
Being overweight isn't good, so maybe cut them back so they can live a longer life.

Thank you, I'll look into getting them grit since I barely laid down tarps in their pen and they can no longer peck at the ground. I was doing some yard work and found lots of broken shards of glass out there hence the reason for laying down tarps.
Question: do I have a bowl of grit available to them all throughout the day or only during meal time?
Thank you again for your reply.

 

[Chocorobo12]

Grit is needed to grind up grain and seeds in the crop to make it digestible. Since chickens don't have teeth, the process occurs in their crops. Without the grit, they don't get much nutrition out of the grain, and they can suffer from impacted crops.

However, if you aren't feeding them hard grains or seeds then they probably don't need grit. Commercial laying hens never get it and don't need it because they only eat processed feed.

Thank you, I'll look into getting them grit since I barely laid down tarps in their pen and they can no longer peck at the ground. I was doing some yard work and found lots of broken shards of glass out there hence the reason for laying down tarps.
Question: do I have a bowl of grit available to them all throughout the day or only during meal time?
Thank you again for your reply.

 

[Chocorobo12]

Since you are in the duck forum, I imagine this is about ducks. To be clear ducks and chickens need grit when they are fed anything other than commercial feed. Grit works in the gizzard to break up food. Corn would not be considered grit. It must be pebbles that aren't digestible. Grit works in the gizzard and breaks up the food to be digested. It works the same in chickens as it does ducks.
I provide grit throughout the year in separate containers in the run, but mine really only need it when the ground is frozen.
Being overweight isn't good, so maybe cut them back so they can live a longer life.

Oh and yes I'm asking about my pet ducks, not chickens.

 

[JedJackson]

Thank you, I'll look into getting them grit since I barely laid down tarps in their pen and they can no longer peck at the ground. I was doing some yard work and found lots of broken shards of glass out there hence the reason for laying down tarps.
Question: do I have a bowl of grit available to them all throughout the day or only during meal time?
Thank you again for your reply.

You can just leave it out. They will take it as needed. Good idea with the tarp in that situation!

Finding grit is the hardest part. Most good farm stores should carry it. It shouldn't be too expensive and they won't eat a whole bunch, so it should last a while.