I read a study that says chickens don't need grit if they free range, but I'm not convinced
I was looking up some chicken care stuff online and found a research paper from a university extension program. It said that hens with full access to a varied, natural dirt yard might not need supplemental grit at all because they find enough small stones. I've always kept a grit feeder full for my six birds in Portland, thinking it was a must. The study tracked a flock for over a year and saw no digestion issues without it. But my soil is pretty clay-heavy, and I just don't see enough tiny rocks in their run. Has anyone else stopped offering grit and seen a real difference, good or bad?