donald   Azolla and Grits - Are they good feeds?
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First Post Posted on: 03-17-13 06:11 PM
Is azolla good for ducks? Also, I have read in several books on bird grit? Can someone tell me what purpose it serves? Also, what kind of birds  should be fed with grits and at what age?
forumadmin   Azolla and Grits - Are they good feeds?
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Reply #: 1 Posted on: 03-19-13 09:30 AM

Grit is a fine, gravelly substance sometimes offered to pet birds as a dietary supplement. When a bird ingests grit, it makes its way to the gizzard where it helps grind food into particles that are easy to absorb, and aids in digestion.

 

Azolla is rich in proteins and is really good for ducks, chickens.

steve   Azolla and Grits - Are they good feeds?
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Reply #: 2 Posted on: 03-19-13 06:10 PM
Parrots that eat seed whole without shelling it first require grit, but cockatiels shell their seed before eating it so grit should not be provided. Hookbills of any type do not need it. They shell seeds before eating.
martin   Azolla and Grits - Are they good feeds?
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Reply #: 3 Posted on: 03-19-13 07:45 PM
When my chicks were young, I used to give them chicken treats and I included grit as a dietary supplement. But when they grew older, I stopped giving them grits since they will eat sand and small particles for grit when they are freeranging during the daytime. I have read too much grit will cause problem.
trademan   Azolla and Grits - Are they good feeds?
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Reply #: 4 Posted on: 03-19-13 11:14 PM

Grit helps in digestion to grind their food up and is very important. I think they get enough from the driveway and in the yard. :)

 

I give mine crushed oyster shell, about once a month. Great source of calcium for egg production too. Giving azolla increases the weight of broiler chickens..

pigeontrader   Azolla and Grits - Are they good feeds?
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Reply #: 5 Posted on: 04-03-13 11:56 PM

As I was researching on raising duck, this is what I read about grits in an another site and found useful:

 

 

"Grit is small bits of rock that birds consume. The grit lodges in the gizzard to enable the bird to grind up whole grains. If the birds are outside, they are finding all the grit they need. If you are feeding them mash, crumbled or pelleted feed, grit is not necessary as the feed has already been ground. If you do decide to feed grit, do not provide it until the birds are a month old and do not mix it in the feed. Just provide it in a separate feeder so they can eat what they want."

annemarie   Re: Azolla and Grits - Are they good feeds?
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Reply #: 6 Posted on: 04-21-13 03:39 PM
What is Azolla???   I have never heard of it! Thanks