Whether you are living on a farm or you are raising chickens in the suburbs, it can be a lot of fun. These little guys don’t take up much space, are mostly well behaved, and you don’t have to spend too much to keep them around.
But, you do have to make sure that you are properly feeding them and giving them a safe space to live. From providing nutritious feed to creating a comfortable coop environment, you strive to keep your flock happy and healthy.
However, there’s one aspect of poultry care that often goes overlooked but is absolutely essential: poultry grit.
To give you an idea here are some compelling reasons why poultry grit vital for your flock’s health.
1. Digestive Aid
Your chickens also have a digestive system that can go bad, like humans. Where you might eat fiber to keep support your digestive system, chickens need to get some poultry grit to stay healthy.
Poultry grit is made of small rocks or granules, which serves as a grinding agent in the gizzard and helps to break down food particles into smaller, digestible pieces. Without the right amount of poultry grit, your chickens may struggle to process their feed properly. That can lead to digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, and a very dirty living space. .
2. Calcium Source
You probably already know how important calcium is for the bones, and the same goes for chickens. But, that is not all. Chickens also need calcium to produce strong eggshells.
Fortunately, poultry grit often contains calcium carbonate, which can provide your chickens with ore calcium. By adding poultry grit into your flock’s diet, you can help ensure that your hens lay eggs with sturdy shells and prevent conditions like egg binding and osteoporosis.
3. Prevents Pica Behavior
Have you ever noticed your chickens pecking at odd objects or eating their own eggs? This behavior is known as pica
Pica can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies in your chickens. In particular, calcium and some other minerals.
By supplying your flock with poultry grit, you can help them satisfy their craving for minerals and reduce the likelihood of pica behavior in your chickens.
4. Supports Crop Function
If you weren’t aware, there is a specialized organ in a chicken’s digestive system responsible for storing and moistening food before it enters the stomach, which is called the crop.
When your chickens ingest poultry grit, it can help them in the grinding process within the crop, and facilitate the breakdown of food particles and promoting efficient digestion.
With poultry grit, you can ensure proper crop function and prevent crop impaction and other digestive disorders in your poultry.
5. Cost-Effective Solution
Whether you have built a small hen house and you are keeping your chickens at home or you have a farm, you always have to think about the costs of raising the chickens.
Fortunately, poultry grit is a cost-effective solution that can help you enhance your flock’s health. You can buy poultry grit is a lot of forms like crushed granite, oyster shells, and insoluble grit. That is why, you can easy add it into your feeding regimen.