Why Do Chickens Need Grit in Their Diet?
Table of Contents
- Why Chickens Need Grit in Their Diet
- Soluble vs Insoluble Grit for Chickens
- Oyster Shell for Laying Hens
- What to Feed and Where to Get It
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 24 September 2026
Why Chickens Need Grit in Their Diet
Chickens need grit in their diet because they have no teeth. Every hen relies on swallowed stones to grind food inside the gizzard; without it, feed passes through undigested, showing up as poor condition and weak eggshells. This guide from Chartley Chucks (Staffordshire) explains how to feed it.
Chickens need grit because the gizzard, a muscular organ between crop and intestines, uses hard stones to break down grain, seeds, and fibrous greens into an absorbable paste.
Soluble vs Insoluble Grit for Chickens
Soluble and insoluble grit do different jobs, and most keepers need both. Insoluble grit (flint or granite) stays in the gizzard and grinds food; soluble grit (oyster shell) dissolves and releases calcium for shells.
- Insoluble grit: flint or granite chips that stay in the gizzard and break down food. Essential for every bird not free-ranging on stony ground.
- Soluble grit: oyster shell and similar calcium-rich material that dissolves in the gut. Important for laying hens.
- How to feed grit to chickens: offer it in a separate pot or hopper ideally, or mixed into the main feed.
Oyster Shell for Laying Hens
Oyster shell for laying hens supplies the calcium a hen pulls from her body every time she lays. If the diet does not replace it, she draws on her bones, producing thin, soft, or cracked shells.
Offer oyster shell ad libitum in its own pot alongside or mixed with insoluble grit; most hens regulate intake well.
What to Feed and Where to Get It
Mixed poultry grit covers the grinding job for the whole flock, while oyster shell grit targets laying hens. Both are cheap, long-lasting, and the difference between a flock that thrives and one that merely survives.
Product |
Job |
Best For |
|---|---|---|
Grinds food in the gizzard |
Every bird, especially confined hens |
|
Oyster shell grit |
Supplies calcium for shells |
Laying hens in production |
Other options containing grit are |
Supplements diet with other egg beneficial nutrients and grit |
|
At Chartley Chucks (Staffordshire) we keep both on the shelf because most flocks need both. Our mixed poultry grit (2kg) and oyster shell grit (2kg) are given sparingly in separate pots, and both are available for collection or UK-wide delivery.
A hen off her food, losing condition, or producing poor shells is often simply short of grit and calcium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if chickens don't get grit?
Without grit, chickens cannot grind down tough foods like grains, seeds, and insects in their gizzard. This leads to poor digestion, reduced nutrient absorption, and lower egg production. Free-ranging birds usually pick up small stones naturally, but if your chickens are confined or on soft ground, you must supply grit. Chartley Chucks offers mixed poultry grit for £3.00 per 2kg bag, which lasts a long time.
Do free-range chickens need extra grit?
Often yes. Even free-range chickens may not find enough hard, insoluble stones if your garden has soft soil or heavy grass. A handful of mixed grit every week or two ensures they have what they need. If your birds are laying, oyster shell grit also helps replace calcium for strong shells. You can order both types online from Chartley Chucks for UK-wide delivery.
What is the difference between soluble and insoluble grit?
Insoluble grit, such as flint or granite, stays in the gizzard to grind food. Soluble grit, like oyster shell, dissolves slowly and releases calcium for eggshell formation. Laying hens need both: insoluble for digestion and soluble for calcium. Offer them separately so birds can choose what they need. Chartley Chucks sells mixed poultry grit and oyster shell grit, both in 2kg bags.
Getting the feeding basics right is what separates a flock that lays well for years from one that struggles season after season. Chartley Chucks supplies mixed poultry grit and oyster shell grit alongside specialist laying feed and health products, with UK-wide delivery and livestock collection from Staffordshire for keepers who want to choose their birds in person. Get started with Chartley Chucks and give your hens the simple things they need to stay productive.
