Re: Just starting out - grit

From: Stephen M Baines (stephen_at_the-samurai-in-autumn.kitschcamppalace.org.uk)
Date: 06/30/04 

Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2004 08:46:02 +0100

Previously, Jill <news@REMOVETHISkintaline.co.uk> wrote
>
>"Stephen M Baines" <stephen@the-samurai-in-
>
>> 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.
>
>David is definately someone to listen to having many many many years of very
>practical and vaied experience both with commercial and domestic birds
>What birds are you looking to get?

Two bluebelles, a white star and a bovans nera.

>A propietory diet should cope with their calcium unless you see systems but
>digestive grit can be a problem
>I would be astounded if your poulty feed place cannot get flint grit alone -
>it may just be they are not looking at their supply list or asking properly.
>It may be you will have to get a full 25kg bag - only about £4

We've phoned around a 30 mile radius, and they've all said they only
have grit and oyster and sound confused when we ask for grit alone.
We've located one source about 60 miles away where we can get a 25kg for
just over £4 (and half-a-tank of petrol <G>)

>However if you really get nowhere go down to your local decent garden centre
>and get a bag of fine horticultural grit - it is not perfect but will
>definately do the job

It may at least get us started - thanks for that idea, we'd never
thought of that. 

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