Do Quails Need Sandbath Boxes?

[_Randall_]

Quote:
LOL.......lemme tell ya, this past summer, I had one pen that had 76 GG's in it, and every evening, I would get the plastic box (which was merely a transparent drawer from one of those cheap Walmart 3-drawer storage units) that measures about 12" x 16" x (about) 10" high, and put about 4" deep sand in there..........and stand back and watch all 76 try to get in at one time............ Words can't describe the humor

I'm gonna try to video that scenario this summer, and put it on YouTube.

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

Oh, forgot to say another on the plus side. Using the sandbox they cover themselves in it or (sand, dirt, ashes mixed in, pine shavings, hay whatever) and shake it off all over. It falls on the droppings pan or ground and it helps keep the smell down.

Fat Daddy your not using a big enough shoe box, mine can get 6 in there when its freshly put in. Then more hop on top and start wiggling in between, its a site because all they can do is stand there until someone gets out. Then they scramble before someone else hops in. I just stand there and watch in total amazement at those silly birds.

OH YA - be careful, once they know what's coming. Like kids with candy, they see it coming and start heading for it. By the time you get that box past the door they start hopping in. Its a race to see who gets in first. It gets real heavy on you, fast. THis is why my doors have to be just over 4 inches tall, I use the shoe boxes to try to keep some of the sand in for more than a day. Once a week I refill. Except the grow out pen, that gets sand added everyother day or so. Actually, I need to start getting 2 bags a month.

Randal, now I have to try a bigger box for my grow out pen, now I am using a kitten litter box. Not big enough.

 

[_Randall_]

............and, one of the main contributions of the sand........it's Mother Nature's grooming conditioner for their feather coat. I've noticed their feathers are very sleek and in place after they've done some bathing in the sand for a few days.

 

[bel]

I put a cat pan of playground sand with DE added in ours, they love it, but the day after I put DE in they all look like ghosts. Its very popular, when its replaced with fresh sand for the first couple hours the box is solid birds, you cant even see the sand. a $5 bag of sand and a .99 dishpan is pretty cheap for that much entertainment, the sand bag lasts a long time too. They kick it out, it hits the droppings and goes with them to the compost making some really good compost / soil conditioner (sand being good for adding drainage to soil).

 

[quailboy 73]

Question, I new to all this.What is DE that everyone is talking about?

 

[JJMR794]

Diatomasious Earth = DE

 

[Wifezilla]

Since dust bathing is 1) a natural behavior and 2) used for feather conditioning, I do not consider it to be optional. Plus it is funny as all get out to watch! If you have your birds in a cage system and want to cut down (notice I did not say ELIMINATE) the mess, go to the pet store and get them a chinchilla dusting hut. It will make your sand/DE (I mix DE with sand) last longer.

 

[snake173]

If they are in the cold yes you should dust them it helps with removing feathers and keeping the ones closest to their skin in top shape as is the first line of defence against the cold. If the live in a coop that dosen't have direct cold or wind blowing thru then no but you will have happier birds and they darn well no what that white bowl is

and grump if they are not first and hens don't crow but they will express serious discontement if they are last.

snake173

DE+finely ground oyster shells, some old chicken scratch, a very small hand full of dirt (Nuke dirt first). Oh an a stool cause if ya ain't never seen it is worth the time.

 

[MicroFarmMom]

What's the purpose of DE and do you have to have that? Where do you get crushed oyster shells?

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
PLAIN AND SIMPLE PLAY SAND FROM HOME DEPOT WORK JUST FINE, IS READILY AVAILABLE, AND AFFORDABLE... THE BIRDS COULD CARE LESS SO LONG AS IT'S SOMETHING TO DUSTBATHE IN.