Calcite Grit and Granite Grit as Supplements to a Chick Starting Ration

MOST chick starting rations used at the present time are all-mash or complete rations. These contain the necessary mineral supplements to furnish the required amounts of calcium and phosphorus. The feeding of grit as a grinding agent is also a common recommendation. It has also been reported by a number of investigators that a high calcium intake will depress the growth of chicks. It was, therefore, deemed desirable to determine the effect of feeding a calcium grit in addition to a complete chick mash, either as a supplement to be eaten at will, or when mixed with the mash thereby forcing additional consumption of calcium. EXPERIMENTAL Two experiments were conducted using a commercial chick starter as the basal ration. Single Comb White Leghorn cockerel chicks were placed in batteries under similar conditions. The grit supplements used were a granite grit and a calcite grit furnished by the Harry T. Campbell . . .