Chickens have unique digestive systems, and unlike mammals, they lack teeth to chew their food. Instead, they rely on grit to grind and break down food inside their gizzard. Providing grit at the right time is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall gut health.
In this guide, we’ll explore why chickens need grit, the different types available, when to introduce it, and the benefits of adding it to their diet.
1. Why Do Chickens Need Grit?
Chickens consume a variety of food items, from grains and seeds to insects and greens. Since they don’t have teeth, they depend on their gizzard, a muscular organ that grinds food into digestible particles.
✅ How Grit Works:
✔ Chickens swallow small, hard particles (grit) that remain in their gizzard.
✔ As the gizzard contracts, the grit crushes food into smaller pieces, aiding digestion.
✔ Without grit, chickens may struggle to digest whole grains, seeds, and fibrous foods properly.
đź“Ś Did You Know? Chickens that lack access to grit may suffer from crop impaction, sour crop, or nutrient deficiencies due to inefficient digestion.
2. Types of Grit for Chickens
There are two main types of grit, and each serves a different purpose in a chicken’s diet.
1. Insoluble Grit (Digestive Grit)
✔ Composed of: Small rocks, granite, or crushed flint
✔ Purpose: Helps grind food in the gizzard, aiding digestion
✔ Who Needs It? Chickens eating whole grains, seeds, or insects
✔ When to Provide? From Day 14 if they start eating anything beyond starter feed
2. Soluble Grit (Calcium Grit for Egg Production)
✔ Composed of: Crushed oyster shells, limestone, or eggshells
✔ Purpose: Provides calcium for stronger eggshells in laying hens
✔ Who Needs It? Only laying hens (not chicks or non-laying birds)
✔ When to Provide? When hens start laying eggs (around 18-20 weeks old)
đź“Ś Important: Chicks do not need calcium grit because excess calcium can damage their kidneys. Only introduce insoluble grit in the early stages.
3. When and How to Introduce Grit to Chickens?
✅ For Chicks (0-14 Days Old)
✔ If chicks are only eating starter feed, they don’t need grit because commercial feed is soft and easy to digest.
✅ For Growing Chicks (14+ Days Old)
✔ If you introduce grains, vegetables, mealworms, or scraps, provide chick-sized grit.
✔ Offer insoluble grit in a separate dish rather than mixing it with feed.
✔ Chicks will consume grit as needed—there's no need to force-feed it.
✅ For Adult Chickens (8 Weeks and Older)
✔ Provide larger-sized insoluble grit to support digestion of harder foods.
✔ If feeding whole grains, free-range chickens may pick up natural grit from the ground.
✔ Hens that are laying eggs should have access to soluble grit (oyster shells or limestone) for calcium support.
đź“Ś Pro Tip: Always use the correct size grit based on the age of your chickens. Fine grit for chicks, medium grit for growers, and larger grit for adults.
4. Benefits of Grit in a Chicken’s Diet
Providing the right type of grit at the right time offers several benefits:
✅ 1. Aids Digestion and Prevents Crop Impaction
✔ Helps grind down fibrous foods, preventing crop blockages.
✔ Reduces the risk of sour crop, a condition caused by undigested food fermenting in the crop.
✅ 2. Enhances Nutrient Absorption
✔ Breaks down food more efficiently, ensuring chickens extract maximum nutrients.
✔ Improves growth and productivity, especially in meat birds and layers.
✅ 3. Supports Gut Health and Reduces Digestive Disorders
✔ Prevents indigestion, diarrhea, and bloating.
✔ Keeps the gizzard healthy and active, reducing stress on the digestive tract.
✅ 4. Encourages Natural Foraging Behavior
✔ Chickens instinctively seek out grit, mimicking their natural foraging habits.
✔ Providing grit helps them stay engaged and active, preventing boredom-related issues.
✅ 5. Strengthens Eggshells in Laying Hens
✔ Calcium grit (oyster shells) ensures eggs have harder, more durable shells.
✔ Reduces the risk of soft-shell or brittle eggs, which can cause laying problems.
đź“Ś Did You Know? Chickens that eat a varied diet with grains, seeds, and greens need grit more than those on commercial pellet feed alone.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Providing Grit
đźš« 1. Giving Calcium Grit to Chicks
✔ Chicks do not need oyster shells or calcium grit—it can cause kidney damage.
đźš« 2. Mixing Grit Directly into Feed
✔ Always offer grit in a separate dish so chickens can take it as needed.
đźš« 3. Not Providing Grit for Free-Range Chickens
✔ While free-range chickens may find natural grit, it’s still essential to provide additional grit to ensure they get enough.
đźš« 4. Using the Wrong Grit Size
✔ Fine grit for chicks, medium grit for growers, large grit for adults—incorrect sizes can cause choking or inefficiency.
đźš« 5. Forgetting to Offer Fresh Grit Regularly
✔ Chickens naturally consume and pass grit over time, so keep replenishing their supply.
6. Key Takeaways: Ensuring Proper Grit in Your Flock’s Diet
✅ Chicks on starter feed don’t need grit until they start eating grains, seeds, or insects.
✅ Introduce insoluble grit to chicks from Day 14 to support digestion.
✅ Soluble grit (oyster shells) is only for laying hens to strengthen eggshells.
✅ Provide grit in a separate container to let chickens eat it as needed.