What Is the Difference Between Grit and Oyster Shells

Grit is insoluble. It stays in the gizzard and it’s used to grind food. Oyster shell dissolves in the gut. Its job is not to do with digestion – it’s to add calcium to the diet of laying hens.

Do hens need grit and oyster shell?

Soluble grit is usually derived from limestone or crushed oyster or cockle shells. Chickens will pick up anything that is grit-sized whilst foraging, so it’s essential to make sure there is nothing dangerous left lying around that may harm them.

What can I use instead of oyster shell?

• Cooked, Ground-Up Eggshells. It might sound morbid or gross, but feeding cooked, ground-up eggshells to your chickens is an easy way to use them up and give your flock extra doses of calcium. …
• High Calcium Feed. …
• Crushed Limestone. …
• Table Scraps. …
• DIY Oyster Shell Feed. …
• Supplements.