Chickens eat gravel for two reasons. Their lack of teeth means that food swallowed has to be processed by the stomach alone. The presence of gravel in the stomach helps to mash up the food in the stomach and ease digestion.
However, the eating rocks part is real. Chickens swallow food whole and eat small rocks, called grit, to help them grind up their food. Chickens that are loose can find their own grit, chickens that are inside need to have grit provided to them.
Gravel is too big for your chickens to use. Chickens need a small stone or rock to help grind food, but it is a small stone or rock. Anything that would make good gravel is way too big.
Why do chickens eat grit?
Chickens swallow food whole and eat small rocks, called grit, to help them grind up their food. Chickens that are loose can find their own grit, chickens that are inside need to have grit provided to them. When a chicken, or any other poultry for that matter, eats, the food gets swallowed into an area called the crop first, then to the gizzard.
Why would a chicken eat too much grit?
Avocados: It contains a toxin that can be fatal not only to poultry but dogs, cats, and cattle. Tomato Plants: The fruit is a wonderful treat for the flock, but leaves, stems, and vines are poisonous., potato plants Rhubarb Leaves: Another nightshade family member!, eggplant leaves, and more items.
Why do you need to give charcoal to chickens?
, and missourichickenmama., digit S’ Looks like if they are eating it – this should be the right place to put the question about it, IMO .cajunlizz., cajunlizzmissourichickenmamadigit S’ I’ve got 1 or 2 thingamabobs and there’s also a doohickey. Ladyhawke1, and cmom as well are a couple extra items to examine.
Another frequent question is “Why do chickens need dust baths?”.
The answer was tools: A container – an old tire, small wooden stumps (in a circle pattern), a kiddie pool, pavers (circle pattern), or even a plastic tub would do.