If you raise chickens, you might have heard about poultry grit. It plays a big role in a chicken’s digestion, but many new poultry keepers don’t fully understand why it’s needed. Unlike humans, chickens don’t have teeth to chew their food. Instead, they rely on grit to grind up food in their gizzard, helping them digest properly.
Without grit, chickens can struggle with digestion, which may lead to health problems. In this post, I’ll explain what poultry grit is, why it’s important, the different types available, and how to use it correctly.
Table of Contents
What Is Poultry Grit?
Poultry grit is a small, hard substance that chickens eat to help with digestion. Since chickens swallow food whole, they need something in their gizzard to break it down. The gizzard is a muscular part of a chicken’s stomach that grinds food into smaller pieces.
When a chicken eats grit, the small particles stay in the gizzard and act like teeth, crushing food as the muscles contract. This process helps chickens absorb nutrients properly and stay healthy.
Why Do Chickens Need Grit?
Chickens that eat commercial chicken feed don’t always need grit because the feed is already ground up and easy to digest. However, if chickens eat grains, seeds, grass, insects, or kitchen scraps, they need grit to process these harder foods.
Without grit, food can pass through the digestive system without being broken down properly, leading to poor nutrition and possible health issues like impacted crops. By giving your chickens grit, you help them digest food efficiently and avoid digestive problems.
Types of Poultry Grit
There are two main types of poultry grit: insoluble grit and soluble grit. Insoluble grit, also known as flint or granite grit, is made from small stones. This type stays in the gizzard for a long time and is essential for grinding food. It doesn’t dissolve and needs to be provided regularly, especially for chickens that eat natural food sources like grains or grass.
Soluble grit is made from crushed oyster shells or limestone. Unlike insoluble grit, this type dissolves in the digestive system and provides calcium, which helps in egg production and strong eggshells. It’s important for laying hens but doesn’t replace insoluble grit.
How to Give Grit to Your Chickens
The best way to provide grit is to offer it in a separate container so chickens can take what they need. Most chickens instinctively eat grit when necessary. For young chicks, fine grit is recommended, while adult chickens need larger pieces.
If chickens free-range, they may find some natural grit on their own, but it’s still a good idea to offer additional grit to make sure they get enough.
Conclusion
Poultry grit is a small but important part of a chicken’s diet. It helps with digestion and prevents health problems, especially for chickens that eat whole grains, grass, or other natural foods. By understanding the types of grit and how to provide it, you can keep your chickens healthy and ensure they get the nutrition they need.