Re: Just starting out - grit

From: Stephen M Baines (stephen_at_the-samurai-in-autumn.kitschcamppalace.org.uk)
Date: 06/26/04 

Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 19:00:19 +0100

Previously, Krys Francis <krys@lluestfarmpoultry.co.uk> wrote
>In message <Qg$g4+BkvU3AFwjq@the-samurai-in-autumn.kitschcamppalace.org

>>Is mixed grit a problem when feeding layers pellets? We're only
>>getting 4 hens, and they're having a fairly wide area to play around.
>
>Our local farmer's co-op stocks both hen & chick sized flint grit, I
>don't suppose that the flint grit with soft calcium will do any harm as
>long as it's being fed to layers & not to growers.

They are going to be fed layers, but we've read a paper by David Bland
that says that it is actually dangerous to the chicken to give them too
much calcium beyond what is in the layers as it upsets the
calcium/phosphorus balance giving them poor shells, leg weaknesses and
partial paralysis.

>They should pick out what they need. Personally I'd not bother with the
>oyster shell, a sack of calcified seaweed is probably better value & it
>contains a good proportion of calcium & phosphorus as well as other
>minerals.

The feed already has the calcium in it - we're not trying to give them
more. We're just not getting any choice of whether to give them more or
not locally - all the grit that's stocked locally has oyster shell in it
whether we want it or not. 

-- 
Stephen M Baines
Now with an extra 200m2...
http://www.kitschcamppalace.org.uk/garden/400Lots/index.html

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