Chicken Grit

Chicken Grit

• Description:

  • Coarse, insoluble particles made from various materials like granite, quartz, or crushed oyster shells.
  • The size can vary depending on the age of the bird (chicks need smaller grit than adult chickens).
  • Usually gray, white, or brown in color.

• Uses:

  • Helps grind down food in the gizzard, a muscular stomach in birds that lacks teeth.
  • This grinding process improves digestion and nutrient absorption from their feed.
  • May also provide some additional minerals depending on the source material.

• Chemical Composition:

  • Depends on the source material:
    • Granite/Quartz: Primarily silicon dioxide (SiO2) with trace minerals like iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al).
    • Oyster Shells: Mainly calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with small amounts of other minerals.

• Physical Properties:

  • Insoluble in water and digestive juices.
  • Hard and abrasive texture.
  • Varies in size based on bird age (typically 1-3 mm for chicks, 3-8 mm for adult chickens).

• Safety Information:

  • Generally safe for chickens when provided in appropriate quantities.
  • Too much grit can impact nutrient absorption and cause digestive issues.
  • Sharp edges of some grit types (like crushed granite) could potentially injure the gizzard lining in large quantities.