[kaz1510]

Hi i was just wondering do i need to give my chicks grit. They are six weeks old. If not at what age do i start giving it to them.

[rachelr]

I was reliably told by GA to bring in the grit/oyster shell at about the same age as yours. I bought smaller crushed stuff when they were younger. Good luck

[GrannieAnnie]

Did I?  We don't actually use grit, as the chickens are always digging up stuff in their runs.

It's only to help grind up their food so it can be digested. 

I tell people to use it if they want to, as a lot of people are told that chicken have to have grit.

But don't remember saying to use it from 6 weeks, but then I forget a lot of things lately! 

[joyfull]

do not feed young chicks oyster shell - they do not need calcium until they are laying.

[Lindeggs]

There are two kinds of grit.  

There is hard grit, that all birds need to help grind up their food.  Chicks need this, and I think I've read that some chick food might already have it included?  Birds that have access to the outside world will pick up little stones for themselves so don't need it added.

The second kind of grit is shell grit.  This is bits of ground sea shells or egg shells that laying hens use to get enough calcium when they're laying eggs.  It is not needed until they start laying, and it can cause major health problems later if given to young chicks.

So kaz the answer is: yes, make sure your chicks have hard grit available.  Check on their feed packet and see if it's included.  Are they outside yet? If not you can put some dry sand into their enclosure and they can pick bits up as they need it.

Don't give them shell grit.

[kaz1510]

Yes my chicks are out during the day and put back inside at night. I will check the feed to see what is it. I read that some people use chinchilla sand/grit, would that be ok.