[mummychick]

I bought my 4 chickens about a month ago.  They are kept in a fenced off bit at the bottom of the garden.  Plenty of grass to munch!!!  Do I need to give them grit aswell? Two are laying already and the eggs are perfect 

[joyfull]

The grit is to help them grind their food as they have no teeth, along with grit they should have a container of oyster shell so that they get enough calcium to keep making perfect shelled eggs 

[alancane]

You can buy the grit already mixed with oyster shell and keep it out all the time. Just put a couple of holes in the bowl so water drains when it rains and they will help themselves.

Mine love a good peck at it all day.

[mummychick]

Thanks very much for the info   I will buy some for them.  I'm sure I will have plenty more questions!!

[hillfooter]

If your chickens are in their first season laying, which I suspect is the case,  and they are fed a good quality layers feed ad lib and just treats and corn in the evening they will be getting enough calcium for their needs.  As hens get older they aren't as efficient at assimulating calcium and so may need an oystershell supplement.

As has been said they also need insoluable grit which is used in their gizzards to grind their food, it serves as their teeth  However if they have free range ground to scrat about on they should find enough for their needs.  Having said this most keepers make oyster shell (or sometimes crushed egg shell which needs to be baked first to sterilise it) freely available ad lib in a grit box along with insoluable grit.  It doesn't do any harm and the chickens will take what they need.  

The only down side is you shouldn't make everything they need too easily available  for them as you want to encourage them to be active and forage for their needs.  Active chickens are happy chx and don't develop boredom behaviour and bad habits like feather pecking.  For example corn scattered on the ground is better than being available in a nice neat bowl.
HF

[joyfull]

mine get their grit from helping themselves to our driveway 

[mummychick]

Loved the photo of the chickens helping themselves to grit

Liked the idea of them helping themselves to your driveway but don't think hubby would be too impressed!