12/19/2023 0 Comments Chicken grit![]() ![]() Insoluble grit is available in three sizes, and the size should be as large as possible for the size of the bird, because a size that is too small will pass straight through the digestive system without being used. The efficiency of the gizzard and the health of the digestive system play a vital role in the general health of the hen, and only healthy hens produce of good quality eggs. Grit helps to grind and break down the food in the gizzard, the muscular part of the hen’s stomach, and if given from an early age, it promotes good muscular development of the immature gizzard. There are few areas of the UK that have enough loose surface flint, or granite, to preclude the use of additional grit. Insoluble grit, which includes angular, granite and flint chips, is essential to a hen’s general health from as early as two days of age, and is needed throughout the life of the bird. There are two different kinds of grit and both play an important part in keeping your hens in healthy condition. If the range is in clay or limestone soil, there may be a shortage of flint and in flint areas the pasture will contain less calcium.įor a hen to be kept in peak condition, it needs a healthy digestive system, and to produce an abundant supply of good quality eggs, it needs an adequate and constant supply of calcium. It’s a common misconception, even among seasoned poultry keepers, that their hens don’t need extra grit, either because they are free range and find all the required grit outside, or because they are given crushed shells from the eggs they have laid to provide plenty of calcium. 3-10 week old birds will consume approximately 3g per bird per week and after 10 weeks approximately 4-5g per bird per week. Between 3 and 10 weeks of age the grit particles should be 2-3 mm.and 3-4mm after 10 weeks. Flint chips act as the bird’s teeth and assist in breaking down the food in the gizzard and the oyster shell provides valuable calcium. It is used to stimulate the appetite, develop the gizzard muscle, digest food, and mixed grit helps with the shell quality in laying birds. Grit is best supplied in a small flat bottomed container with a drainage hole in the base, or a specially designed grit hopper. ![]()
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