6 Best Granite Grit For Strong Bones In Poultry Old Farmers Swear By
Essential for digestion and strong bones, granite grit is a poultry staple. We reveal the top 6 brands that seasoned farmers trust for a healthy flock.
Most flock problems trace back to one of two things: bad water or bad digestion. While we obsess over feed protein levels and coop designs, the simple, gritty truth is that a chicken’s health starts in its gizzard. Providing the right kind of grit isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a fundamental requirement for turning feed into fuel for strong bones and good eggs. It’s one of the oldest and most effective pieces of poultry wisdom for a reason.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Granite Grit is Crucial for Your Flock
You have to remember, chickens don’t have teeth. They rely on a powerful muscle called the gizzard to grind up their food, and that gizzard needs tools to do its job. That tool is grit—small, hard, insoluble particles of stone like granite that tumble around inside, pulverizing grains and forage into a digestible mash.
Without grit, a chicken can’t properly break down its food. This means wasted feed, poor nutrient absorption, and a bird that’s more susceptible to crop impaction and other digestive issues. While soluble grit like oyster shell provides calcium, insoluble granite grit is the non-negotiable milling machinery for every single bird in your flock, from day-old chicks to your oldest rooster. Good digestion is the first step to absorbing the minerals that build strong bones.
Manna Pro Poultry Grit: The All-Around Choice
If you walk into almost any feed store in the country, you’ll find a bag of Manna Pro Poultry Grit. There’s a good reason for its popularity: it’s consistent, reliable, and does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It’s a no-frills product made of crushed granite, sized appropriately for different stages of a bird’s life.
This is the workhorse grit for the practical farmer. You can get Chick Grit, Grower Grit, and Layer Grit, making it easy to match the particle size to your birds. If you want a dependable product you don’t have to second-guess, Manna Pro is a solid choice. It’s the simple, effective solution that just plain works for a healthy gizzard.
Cherry Stone #2 Grower Grit for Young Pullets
There’s an awkward phase for young birds, usually between 8 and 18 weeks, where they’ve outgrown fine chick grit but aren’t quite ready for the large chunks in layer grit. This is where Cherry Stone #2 Grower Grit shines. It’s sized perfectly for those developing gizzards of pullets and cockerels.
Cherry Stone has been around forever and is known for its sharp, angular form, which is excellent for grinding. Providing the right-sized grit during this critical growth stage ensures your future layers are developing a powerful, efficient digestive system. It prevents them from struggling with particles that are too large or passing ones that are too small to be effective.
Mount St. Helens #1 Chick Grit for Starters
A chick’s first few weeks are all about building a strong foundation, and that includes their digestive tract. Their gizzards are tiny and need incredibly small particles to get started. Mount St. Helens #1 Chick Grit is specifically milled to the fine, sand-like consistency that baby birds require.
While some old-timers might use clean sand, a dedicated chick grit like this ensures the particles are the right size and free from contaminants. It gets their gizzards working from day one, helping them extract maximum nutrition from their starter feed. Giving them the right tool for the job right out of the brooder sets them up for a lifetime of good health.
Versele-Laga Grit + Redstone for Added Minerals
For the keeper who values convenience, Versele-Laga offers a "grit-plus" product. This isn’t just a simple granite grit; it’s a mix that often includes flint for grinding, oyster shell for calcium, and redstone, which is believed to provide trace minerals and aid digestion. It’s an all-in-one approach to supplementation.
The tradeoff here is control versus simplicity. By combining everything, you can’t adjust the ratio of grinding grit to calcium. However, for a small backyard flock, especially one with laying hens, this can be a great way to cover all your bases with a single product. It ensures they are getting what they need for both digestion and eggshell quality without multiple feeders.
Scratch and Peck Feeds Cluckin’ Good Grit
If you’re running a flock on organic, non-GMO, or soy-free feed, it makes sense to want your supplements to align with that philosophy. Scratch and Peck Feeds has built its reputation on high-quality, thoughtfully sourced ingredients, and their Cluckin’ Good Grit is no exception. It’s a simple, insoluble crushed granite grit that meets their high standards.
Functionally, it’s the same as any other quality granite grit—it grinds feed in the gizzard. The difference is the peace of mind that comes with the brand’s sourcing and commitment to organic principles. For keepers who prioritize a specific feeding program, choosing a grit from a trusted brand like Scratch and Peck ensures every part of their flock’s diet is consistent with their values.
Little Giant Poultry Grit for Your Mixed Flock
Many hobby farms don’t have the luxury of separate pens for different age groups. You might have laying hens, a few younger pullets, and maybe a bantam or two all living together. In this common scenario, a product like Little Giant Poultry Grit, often sold in a "grower" or "all-flock" size, is a lifesaver.
This is a pragmatic choice. The medium-sized grit is a compromise—a bit large for the youngest birds and a bit small for the biggest hens, but functional enough for everyone in between. It saves you from having to buy and set out three different sizes of grit. For the busy farmer with a diverse flock, one bag that works for almost everyone is a smart, efficient solution.
How to Choose and Offer Grit to Your Flock
Choosing the right grit comes down to one simple rule: match the grit size to the bird’s size. Chicks need fine, sand-like grit. Growing pullets need a medium "grower" size. Full-grown standard fowl need a coarse "layer" or "hen" size. Using grit that’s too small is ineffective, and grit that’s too large can be ignored or even cause impaction.
The most important part is how you offer it. Never mix grit into their feed. Always provide it free-choice in a separate, dedicated container. Chickens instinctively know when they need it and will consume the right amount. Even if your birds free-range, providing a grit station is cheap insurance. You can’t guarantee they’ll find enough of the right-sized stones on their own, and a small dish of granite grit ensures their digestive health is never left to chance.
Ultimately, grit is not a supplement; it’s a fundamental tool. It’s the teeth your chickens don’t have. Choosing a quality granite grit and offering it correctly is one of the simplest, cheapest, and most impactful things you can do for the long-term health and productivity of your flock.
