What is Chicken Grit and Its Purpose
Ever wonder why chickens need rocks in their diet?
Chicken grit is more than just tiny stones; it’s essential for their digestion. It acts like teeth, helping chickens break down food in the gizzard. Without grit, chickens can’t absorb nutrients well, which affects their health and egg quality.
Let’s go over the types, benefits, and how to use it effectively.
Keep reading to ensure your chickens stay happy and healthy.
What is Chicken Grit and Its Purpose?
- Small stones help chickens digest food.
- Grit ensures chickens absorb nutrients.
- No grit? Digestive problems could occur.

Definition and Role of Chicken Grit
Chicken grit consists of small hard materials like stones, eggshells, or flint. These tiny pieces are crucial because chickens don’t have teeth. Instead, they rely on grit to help break down food in their gizzards.
The gizzard is a muscular part of a bird’s stomach that grinds food with the help of grit. This process is essential for digesting larger particles like grains and seeds. Without grit, chickens can’t properly grind their food, which could cause serious digestive issues.
Chickens naturally seek out grit on their own, often consuming small rocks or pebbles they find. However, for domesticated chickens, providing grit is an important part of their diet unless they’re free-ranging in areas where natural grit is readily available.
Importance of Providing Grit
Feeding chickens grit is not just about aiding digestion. It impacts their overall health and well-being. Grit ensures that a chicken’s diet is effectively processed in the gizzard, allowing birds to absorb vital nutrients efficiently. When chickens lack grit, they tend to consume more feed—up to 20% higher than usual. This increased consumption is their way of trying to meet their nutritional needs when food isn’t well-digested.
The absence of grit can lead to severe problems. Chickens may develop digestive blockages that cause discomfort and possibly lead to fatal outcomes. A common problem is sour crop or impaction, where the digestive tract gets blocked. Additionally, without proper grit, there can be negative impacts on eggshell quality. This often leads to eggs with thin or malformed shells due to a lack of calcium.
Ultimately, consistently providing grit supports not only digestion but also the overall well-being of chickens. While some might think mixing grit with food directly is a good approach, offering grit separately allows chickens to self-regulate their intake. This helps cater to their specific needs as they vary day-to-day based on what they eat.
Remember, oyster shells cannot replace grit. Oyster shells provide calcium, crucial for laying hens, whereas grit serves as a mechanical digestive aid. The distinct roles of each make them both necessary in poultry care.
Types of Chicken Grit for Optimal Health
- Soluble and insoluble grit both aid chicken digestion and health.
- Knowing when and how to use each type is crucial for poultry management.
- Correct use supports digestion and nutrient uptake.
Calcium Supplements / “Soluble Grit”
Let’s get something out of the way, there is no “soluble grit.” Grit itself is insoluble, but this term “soluble grit” gets throw around a lot, and should really be “calcium supplements.”
Calcium supplements for chickens are primarily made of sources like oyster shells. Chickens consume these materials voluntarily, as they dissolve in the digestive system to provide essential minerals. Calcium supplements serve to support the development of strong eggshells due to their rich calcium content. It’s particularly crucial for laying hens, as it ensures they have enough calcium reserves to produce eggs consistently.
Chickens usually require additional calcium supplements during the egg-laying period. Calcium acts as a key component for forming eggshells. Ensuring your chickens have access to calcium supplements can prevent issues such as soft-shelled eggs, which can occur when hens do not get enough calcium. It’s important to note that not all chickens will need soluble grit in the same quantities. Chickens not laying eggs may not require it. Given its nutritional value, including calcium supplements in chicken feed during their peak egg-laying period can optimize their health and productivity.
Insoluble Grit / “Grit”
Insoluble grit (or just “grit”) is typically small stones or gravel that chickens eat but don’t digest. It stays in the gizzard, which is part of the chicken’s digestive system. The gizzard works like a tough, muscular stomach. It uses these small stones to grind down food, helping chickens digest their feed without the teeth they naturally lack. This process enhances nutrient absorption, which is critical for their overall health.
Typically, insoluble grit includes granite particles because of their hard, perpetual nature. Chickens access insoluble grit through natural foraging if allowed, but domesticated chickens often need this supplemented to mimic their natural diet. It’s essential to ensure that young chicks have insoluble grit too. However, it’s crucial to choose small, grit-appropriate sizes to avoid digestive complications. Theory suggests grit also prevents impactions and obstructions.
Monitoring Health Benefits

The consistent use of both grit and calcium supplements can lead to visible health improvements. Birds with access to adequate grit are more likely to exhibit vibrant feathers and optimal weight gain, thanks to more efficient digestion. Proper calcium intake reduces stress fractures and enhances bone health.
A study done on broilers using grit found the following:
- chickens fed diets with 1.5%–2.5 showed higher dry matter retention compared to broilers without
- an experimental group that had 1.5% sand grit showed better digestibility for all nutrients
Chicken Grit Composition and Benefits
Composition and Functions
Let’s get into the nuts and bolts. Chicken grit is made from small bits of stone and sand, usually crushed granite. Its job is to help chickens break down food. Chickens don’t have teeth, so grit acts like a grinding tool in their gizzard.
Oyster shells, on the other hand, are made mostly of calcium carbonate. They’re from oyster or other mollusk shells. Their primary role? Providing the calcium that helps hens lay eggs with strong shells. Calcium is also crucial for bone health. Without it, you might end up with soft-shelled eggs or even bone issues like osteoporosis.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Feature | Chicken Grit | Oyster Shell |
---|---|---|
Material | Crushed granite or similar | Calcium carbonate from shells |
Main Purpose | Aids digestion | Provides calcium |
Essential for | All chickens | Laying hens |
Grit Benefits
- Grit aids chicken digestion, improving nutrient absorption
- Reduces digestive issues and blockages
- Enhances egg quality and production
- Boosts overall health and immune function
- Improves feed efficiency, reducing costs
- Provides long-term economic benefits for farmers due to increased feed retention
How to Use Chicken Grit Effectively
- Chickens should eat grit starting at 8-12 weeks old.
- Keep grit readily available in a separate feeder.
- Place grit in an easily accessible area in your chicken coop.
Age
Chickens need grit once they start eating solid foods beyond their usual feed.
This usually happens around 8 to 12 weeks of age. At this stage, their diet changes, and they require help to break down food in their gizzards. If they eat commercial crumbles or pellets, grit isn’t necessary. But when you introduce grains or other solid foods, grit becomes essential.
Some experts suggest offering chick grit even earlier, as soon as 2 weeks, when chicks might start eating treats.
Frequency
Keep grit available all the time. This allows chickens to self-regulate their intake based on their dietary needs. Providing grit in a separate container in the coop helps prevent overconsumption.
Such continuous availability is especially crucial in environments where chickens can’t naturally find stones and pebbles.
Placement
Place grit in a small dispenser or container accessible within the coop.
This should not be mixed with their main feed. A well-secured container prevents accidental spills and ensures grit remains clean. Many backyard poultry keepers suggest that this setup allows chickens to consume grit right where they spend most of their time. A carefully placed container makes it easy for them to incorporate grit into their diet naturally.
During winter, grit may be even more essential since chickens may not find natural sources like pebbles due to snow. Making it available all year ensures that season changes do not impact their digestion.
Quantity
While specific measurements aren’t necessary, you should check regularly and top up the grit dispenser. Observations show that chickens instinctively consume the amount they need for proper digestion. If the dispenser is empty often, increase the frequency of refills.
Troubleshooting Common Chicken Grit Issues
- Learn why chickens might not eat grit and how to fix that.
- Tips to reduce grit waste and use it efficiently.
- Improve your chicken’s health with these practical solutions.
Grit Refusal
Chickens might refuse grit for a few reasons. It could be due to unfamiliarity, lack of proper presentation, or their current diet. If they haven’t been exposed to grit before, they might not recognize it as necessary.
Start by considering how you’ve introduced grit to your chickens. They prefer grit in a separate container, not mixed with regular feed. If new to grit, they may be cautious about trying it.
Also, observe their overall diet. Birds on diets mainly consisting of processed feed might not show interest in grit, as they don’t currently need it for digestion.
Encourage Grit Consumption
Make grit accessible and separate from other food. Use a clean, dedicated container placed in a familiar area. If your chickens range freely, ensure grit is available near their feeding spots. Consider encouraging interest by adding new items slowly to their diet. For those hesitant, mixing grit with treats or placing grit containers near water sources can attract them to investigate.
Reduce Waste in the Coop
Grit waste can be a problem, especially if it is scattered or not effectively used. This can happen when chickens kick out grit from containers or if it’s placed where it’s easily lost.
Use deep, stable containers that minimize spillage. Position containers at different heights to cater to chickens of varying sizes, reducing wastage from unnecessary scratching
Consider placing these under shelter or in areas that are less prone to disturbance. Regularly check and reposition grit containers to ensure they remain clean and appealing. Avoid fine grit that chickens might ignore, choosing more suitable sizes to encourage consumption and reduce waste.
Ending on a Gritty Note
Chicken grit keeps your flock healthy and feeds them right. It helps with digestion, boosts egg quality, and keeps nutrient absorption on point. Don’t forget to offer both calcium supplements and insoluble types when needed. Place it right and keep an eye on use.
Start by introducing grit at the right age to ensure your chickens get off to a strong start. Place it conveniently in the coop to encourage consumption. If your chickens aren’t keen on grit, look into why, and adjust as needed.
Is your coop set up to make the most of grit? Make sure you understand how grit fits into your poultry care routine for healthier birds and better productivity.
-Jen
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to replace or be construed as professional health advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or veterinarian before implementing or altering the diet of your backyard animals. The author assumes no responsibility for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions, preparations, or procedures discussed on this blog. If you are reading this for the purpose of making major financial or life decisions, please consult a professional before doing so. By reading and using my website, you are agreeing to my terms and conditions. Thanks y’all!