Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1912 — PROVIDING GRIT IN WINTER [ARTICLE]

PROVIDING GRIT IN WINTER

Hens Should Be Allowed to Take as Much as They Require—Don’t Feed It In Their Mash.

(By W. F. PARRISH.)

When winter comes and the ground freezes, or is covered with snow a good deal of the time, grit must be supplied. Gravel or grit should be sharp, so as to both cut and grind. Smooth pieces of gravel will not answer the purpose. Gravel dug from a pit will make one of the best grits. When pounded into small pieces, broken crockery will make excellent grit, also. A little sand mixed with the other grit is helpful, but It will not answer for exclusive use, not being sharp nor coarse enough. If you prefer, you can buy prepared grit from the dealers in poultry supplies. A good many people do this and a good many other people buy oyster shells with the belief that they are obtaining grit. The hens need some of the oyster shells, as they supply the system with lime and carbonates, but they will not take the place of grit They are too soft, and digest rather than grind. Keep well filled grit boxes where the hens can run to them at will during the winter months and you will find that they consume quite alot.of the material in a month’s time. Providing the grit in boxes and allowing the hens to help themselves is the best way of feeding it. They will then use Rs much as is necessary for their health, as they are the best judges of this matter and consequently will not consume more than they require. If we always knew ha>w much would be needed for the health of the birds, It would, be all right to mix the grit with the feed. But since we do not know this, we would best not'force grit upon them as we would be doing if we mixed it with the feed.