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Grit is a vital component of a chicken's diet, as it helps them to digest their food properly. Chickens need grit in order to grind up their food in the gizzard, which is a muscular part of the stomach that grinds up food using small stones or grit. Here's a guide on why chickens need grit:
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Digestion: Grit helps chickens to digest their food properly by grinding it up in the gizzard. Without grit, chickens can have difficulty digesting their food, leading to poor growth and overall health.
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Grinding up food: Chickens eat a variety of foods, including seeds, grains, and insects. Grit helps to grind up these foods in the gizzard so that the chickens can properly digest them.
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Calcium source: Grit also serves as a source of calcium for chickens. Chickens need calcium to produce strong eggshells and maintain healthy bones.
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Free-ranging chickens: Chickens that free-range and forage for food may not get enough grit in their diet. Free-ranging chickens will be able to find natural grit sources such as small pebbles and sand, but if their diet is mostly composed of commercial feed, grit should be provided.
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Laying hens: Laying hens need more grit than chickens that are not laying, because they need more calcium for egg production.
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Types of grit: There are different types of grit that can be provided to chickens, such as crushed granite, oyster shell grit, or poultry grit.
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Providing grit: Grit can be provided to chickens in a separate feeder or mixed in with their regular feed.
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Storage: Grit should be stored in a dry place to prevent it from becoming damp, which can cause it to clump together and become less effective.
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Quantity: A general rule of thumb is to provide 1-2 tablespoons of grit per chicken per day, however, it's always good to consult with a poultry expert or a veterinarian to determine the right amount for your flock.
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Conclusion: Grit is a vital component of a chicken's diet, as it helps them to digest their food properly. Chickens need grit in order to grind up their food in the gizzard, which is a muscular part of the stomach that grinds up food using small stones or grit. Chickens that free-range and forage for food may not get enough grit in their diet, laying hens need more grit than chickens that are not laying and different types of grit can be provided to chickens.