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

Nov 06, 2023
Did you know that feeding your new foal begins before your mare is even bred? This time of year, it is tempting to turn both open and bred mares out onto the “back 40” and provide little to no feed to supplement late summer and early fall pastures. While most average- to good-quality pastures will provide ample digestible energy (calories) for a mare that isn’t lactating, pasture alone is unlikely to meet the animal’s mineral requirements, even if she is open. A well-balanced feeding program increases your odds of producing a healthy foal, and your program should change throughout the year to meet the mare’s changing nutrient requirements.
 
Oct 04, 2023
Did you know that feeding your new foal begins before your mare is even bred? This time of year, it is tempting to turn both open and bred mares out onto the “back 40” and provide little to no feed to supplement late summer and early fall pastures.
Sep 05, 2023
County fairs are cherished annual events that bring communities together and celebrate agriculture and local culture. Among the many attractions, livestock shows stand out as true reflections of rural life and a time-honored tradition. These shows provide a platform for young farmers and future agriculturalists to showcase their hard work, dedication, and passion for animal husbandry.