The Nitty Gritty on Hen Digestion

Oct 12, 2020


It’s important to understand your hen’s digestive system when making proper nutrition choices. Poultry rely on the gizzard to break down feeds for digestion.

When a chicken consumes feed, the feed enters the mouth and mixes with saliva.  As it is swallowed, it travels down the esophagus to the crop. The crop serves as a storage compartment.

From the crop, the feed moves into the proventriculus. Digestive enzymes and acid are secreted and begin to digest the feed. Unfortunately, the acidic environment of the proventriculus is not enough to fully digest large particles of feed like grains, or fibrous materials like grass. 

As a result, the undigested material moves into the gizzard. The walls of the gizzard are very tough and muscular. These muscles, with the help of small rocks, or grit, mix and grind the undigested feed into smaller particles that can be digested. Free-range birds will often pick up small stones from the ground, however, poultry who don’t have a regular way to obtain grit should be offered it to aid in the digestion process. 

Grit comes in small, medium, and large sizes for starting, growing, and finishing poultry. Young chicks should be started on grit by sprinkling it on their feed twice a week. Growing chickens and hens should be provided grit free-choice in a feed pan or trough. While it is not necessary to supplement grit to birds consuming a mash, crumble, or pelleted feed, it does no harm. 

As compared to grit, limestone is offered to poultry as a source of calcium. While it can provide some grinding action, it dissolves and is absorbed before the undigested feed is completely ground. Laying hens have increased calcium requirements because of egg production. Oyster shells are also a good source of supplemental calcium and can be offered free-choice to laying hens. 

The Co-op offers all three supplements: grit, limestone, and oyster shells, in addition to a full line of complete poultry feeds and scratch grains. For help assessing your bird’s diet, visit with the feed representative at your local Co-op.

Read More News

Oct 07, 2024
For many horse owners, fall is a favorite season. Lower temperatures and fewer biting insects make it a perfect time to enjoy our horses and the outdoors. Fall is also the time to ensure that you have stocked up on the right quality and quantity of hay to feed your horses confidently through the winter months.
 
Sep 02, 2024
As of the writing of this article, many areas throughout the Southeast had not seen suitable rainfall this summer. While spring was regarded as rather wet, typical summer heat has been predominantly present without desired rain. In late July, some experienced increased precipitation which somewhat helped to restore pasture. However, when grazing pastures have not had adequate rain, meeting the nutritional needs of the animal will be difficult. Many producers react to drought conditions by selling large numbers of cattle. With the currently high market conditions, selling is a viable option. If maintaining the cow herd is the priority, some practices can help.
 
Aug 05, 2024
Rations conveniently packaged to meet the needs of backyard poultry
and rabbit keepers