Which type of grit is best for ducks and geese

[Anne W]

I usually leave the ducks and geese to find their own 'grit' in the ground where they forage but think I should offer grit as well. Which type is best?

Also I know they aren't waterfowl - so not technically not the right section- but while on the subject of grit how about chickens and turkeys. I put down grit for the chickens but it is just labelled 'grit' in the petshop. Abourt to get my turkeys so may as well be armed with the right type.

 

[Tim]

There are two types of grit - soluble grit (sometimes called Oystershell grit) and insoluble grit (sometimes called flint grit). Insoluble is the type that grinds the food down that your birds (all of them) need to break some of their food down. Soluble provides calcium - eg oystershell grit, mainly to help when they are laying. As you say, most of the time they will pick up their own grit if they are free range.

There's an article on the poultrykeeper site about these two types of grit: Types of poultry grit

 

[steeple ducks]

I give the waterfowl coarse sand. A bag from a garden centre or builders merchant. Obviously no cement in it! The geese tuck into it like it is a treat. More expensive mixed poultry grit would be wasted on them, particularly out of the laying season.

I give poultry the mixed grit for layers that is insoluble & soluble together in the bag.

 

[Anne W]

thanks for that .