Re: Just starting out - grit

From: Kathleen (sbffalo_at_bbtel.com)
Date: 06/29/04 

Date: 29 Jun 2004 04:42:42 -0700

Stephen M Baines <stephen@the-samurai-in-autumn.kitschcamppalace.org.uk> wrote in message news:<Qg$g4+BkvU3AFwjq@the-samurai-in-autumn.kitschcamppalace.org.uk>...
> Hi,
>
> We're getting our first chickens in the next week or so, and have been
> reading around a lot. One thing we are really struggling with - grit.
>
> We've read that the chickens need grit - fare enough. We've also read in
> some places to avoid grit that has oyster shell in. We can't find it.
> We've just come back from several animal feed places around here (NW
> Leics/Derbyshire borders, UK) and they only seem to stock "Mixed Grit"
> which says it's either flint & oyster shell or mixed flint and "soft
> calcium".
>
> 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.

Hi, Stephen!
It's been my experience that the free-range birds that are
supplemented with layers definitly need extra calcium, since they are
not solely dependent on the feed you offer. If the layers is their
only source of feed, they may be getting all the calcium their bodies
need. The best bet is to pay close attention to the eggs you collect.
 If the shells are not robust, add more calcium in some form. The
birds may be fine certain times of the year, collecting plenty of
calcium, but then need additional calcium at others. I don't know how
you plan to raise them, but that does have a profound impact on their
feeding.
Best of luck!

Kathleen
Straw Barry Fields Farm
Beefalo
Kentucky, USA

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