You can use various materials for grit, including oyster shells, baked eggshells, flint, or granite.
Grit serves an essential function, particularly for animals like poultry that lack teeth. It helps them grind up their food in the gizzard, aiding digestion. Depending on your needs, you can obtain commercially produced grit or even make your own from certain materials.
Common Sources of Grit Materials
Understanding where different types of grit come from can help you choose the right option.
Oyster Shell Grit
This is a very common type of grit, especially for birds like chickens. As stated in the reference, oyster shell grit is typically made from oyster shells. Beyond aiding digestion, oyster shells also provide a good source of calcium, which is beneficial for egg-laying hens.
Homemade Eggshell Grit
If you're looking for a DIY alternative, you can create your own grit. The reference notes that you can also make your own grit by grinding up baked eggshells. Baking the eggshells sterilizes them and makes them easier to grind. Ensure they are ground to an appropriate size for the intended use.
Flint or Granite Grit
Another widely used commercial grit is made from harder minerals. Flint grit is made from flint or granite milled into very small pieces. These hard, insoluble materials are very effective for mechanical grinding in the gizzard and do not dissolve like calcium-based grits (like oyster shell or eggshell) do.
Overview of Grit Types
Here's a quick look at the types mentioned and their sources:
| Grit Type | Primary Source | Key Benefit (beyond grinding) |
|---|---|---|
| Oyster Shell Grit | Oyster Shells | Provides Calcium |
| Baked Eggshell Grit | Baked Eggshells | Provides Calcium (DIY) |
| Flint/Granite Grit | Flint or Granite | Insoluble, Durable Grinding |
Selecting the appropriate grit depends on the specific needs, such as whether a calcium supplement is also required.
