Chickens should be given grit when they are consuming whole grains or foraging, as it aids in digestion by grinding food in their gizzards.
Grit is a crucial but often overlooked part of a chicken’s diet. This guide explains exactly when and how to provide grit to ensure your flock stays healthy and digests food properly.
What is Chicken Grit and Why Do They Need It?
Chickens don’t have teeth. Instead, they swallow small stones that collect in their gizzard – a muscular part of their digestive system. These stones grind food into digestible particles. Without grit, chickens can’t properly digest many foods.
Two Types of Grit
- Insoluble grit (flint or granite): Helps mechanically break down food
- Soluble grit (oyster shell): Provides calcium for eggshell production
While oyster shell is important for layers, this article focuses on insoluble grit for digestion. Learn more about calcium needs for laying hens in our related guide.
When to Start Giving Chickens Grit
| Age | Grit Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 0-2 weeks | No grit needed (chicks only eat starter feed) |
| 2-3 weeks | Introduce chick grit when offering first treats |
| 8+ weeks | Switch to regular chicken grit |
According to Get Strong Animals, you should start offering chick grit at 2 weeks when introducing treats. The smaller particles are easier for young chicks to digest.
Signs Your Chickens Need Grit
Watch for these indicators that your flock requires grit:
- Eating non-commercial foods (treats, scraps, forage)
- Digestive issues like pasty butt in chicks
- Undigested food in droppings
- Reduced appetite or weight loss
Special Cases Requiring Grit
Confinement Situations
Chickens kept on concrete or without access to dirt need grit year-round. As one backyard chicken keeper noted on a forum: “My six week old chicks in little houses outside don’t have access to the ground – they definitely need grit.”
Winter Months
When snow covers the ground and natural grit sources disappear, provide supplemental grit. This is especially important if you’re still offering treats during cold weather.
How to Offer Grit to Your Flock
Follow these best practices for providing grit:
- Use a separate container from feed
- Offer free-choice access
- Choose appropriate size (chick vs. adult)
- Keep it clean and dry
As noted by Audrey’s Little Farm, chickens won’t overeat grit – they’ll consume only what they need. However, when first introducing it, you may want to mix small amounts with feed to ensure they find it.
Common Grit Questions Answered
Can Chickens Get Grit Naturally?
Free-range chickens often find enough small stones while foraging. But confined birds or those in areas with fine soil need supplemental grit.
What Can Substitute for Commercial Grit?
Clean construction sand (not play sand) works well. Some owners use:
- Crushed granite
- Small pebbles (1-3mm size)
- Coarse dirt with tiny stones
How Much Grit Do Chickens Need?
An average hen consumes about 1-2 ounces of grit monthly. Provide a constant supply and let chickens self-regulate their intake.
For more on chicken care, see our guide on introducing chickens to a new coop.
Grit Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these common errors:
- Using sand instead of proper grit for adult chickens
- Providing grit that’s too large (can cause crop impaction)
- Forgetting to offer grit when changing diets
- Assuming free-range birds always get enough naturally
Remember, grit needs change with diet and environment. Monitor your flock and adjust as needed to keep their digestive systems functioning properly.