A new grit box

We have a metal hopper for grit and oyster shell on the chicken’s patio. This means it is available at all times. Chickens need grit to help grind their food as they have no teeth to do the job and oyster shell gives them calcium to help make strong egg shells.

The three amigos don’t go to the patio so I put a little dish of grit and oyster shell in the run. The problem is that if it is on the ground it will get dirt scratched into it so I put it on the block behind their food and water dish but when it rained it filled up with water. The rain drips on to the block.

What I needed was another hopper similar to the one on the patio. I bought this from a pet shop six years ago. It is meant as a rabbit feeder. I have since looked for another one, in all the pet shops around us, but haven’t been able to find this sort of hopper again. My husband said he would make me one out of wood.

We put it near the three amigos feeding station, in a part of the run that stays dry (since we recently had the new roof on this part), except for rain blowing in through the weld mesh. The roof of the hopper will keep, wind blown rain, out.

We fixed it quite low so that it is the right height for the little girls. As usual the nosiest girls investigated it straight away.

A box for grit and oyster shell

The four bigger girls investigated it straight away

Emerald pecked at the grit

Barley pecked at the grit

Freckles has a look at the grit

I also saw Apricot have a peck at it too but I was too far away from her to get a photograph. I think once again, when the novelty wears off for the bigger girls, the rest of the little girls will have a chance to investigate. I hope this will mean that Dandelion will take some and her egg shells will improve.

I am pleased with the new grit dispenser. I think it is perfectly placed for the three amigos to find it.