Does this look like a good dust bath mix?

[cinnamints]

Hello everyone, first post!

I have 9 absolutely precious jumbo quail chicks, which hatched about a week ago.

- They clearly want a dust bath b/c they're dustbathing in their Kalmbach Gamebird Start Rite, which I would prefer to at least attempt (though it might be futile, lol) to minimize given that it's a bit of a hike to a feed store which stocks it + is on the higher end price-wise.

- I don't want to use yard dirt as many advise b/c wild ducks nest in my yard in the spring. I'm already seeing them, and migratory waterfowl are asymptomatic carriers of avian flu. I have a nice well-ventilated, easy-to-clean layer community cage spot in a detached garage + MIL quarters, so these quail are never going to live outside and thus I'm not feeling any need to expose them to local soil microbes.

I've seen peat moss rec'd for dust baths, and realized I have some relatively fresh Zoo Med Creature Soil. It's for bug + plant terrariums. Ingredient list: Peat Moss, Soil, Sand & Carbon

That sounds like a completely acceptable dust bath based on everything I've read, but I wanted to run it by folks with more experience. I'll eventually make my own mix, this just seemed like it might satisfy my immediate needs. Thanks!

Edit: Should mention that I do have a feeder for them which will keep them out of their feed in the near future, it's just still a tiny bit too tall for them. So I've been using lids.

 

[Nabiki]

I would wait on the dirt bath until they're at least 3 weeks old, preferable 4-5. The chicks are very good at finding dumb ways to die, including eating sand or dirt instead of food.

Peat moss is a good choice, so is construction sand, which has the added benefit of being cheap.

 

[pac]

I have a nice well-ventilated, easy-to-clean layer community cage spot in a detached garage + MIL quarters, so these quail are never going to live outside

How does your mother in-law feel about living with the quail?

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

How does your mother in-law feel about living with the quail?

Not to speak for original poster, but a "mother-in-law suite/apartment" often refers to a studio apartment in the house, or on the property. It doesn't necessarily mean anybody is living in it.

 

[pac]

Not to speak for original poster, but a "mother-in-law suite/apartment" often refers to a studio apartment in the house, or on the property. It doesn't necessarily mean anybody is living in it.

Thanks.
I didn't know that was a thing.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Thanks.
I didn't know that was a thing.

No prob. I think it might be a somewhat regional term, but I'm not sure.

Also, I probably got some info wrong. It might not be a "studio". I've never actually been in one, I'm just mildly aware they're supposed to have a private bathroom, and an area for a bed. So some might have an actual bedroom. I'm not sure what else they might include, but there's probably variations.

Unfortunately I don't have any useful info about quail, and was just perusing posts.