Dust Bath

[1HobbyMan-Home]

What should I use for a dust bath for Coturnix Quail?
What sort of box and how deep should it be?
Thanks in advance.

 

[igorsMistress]

My quail like regular old dirt. The holes they make in the dirt are only a few inches deep, a cat litter pan would work well.

 

[Little Jerry Seinfeld]

Mine love sand, most people suggest sand, I do use dirt sometimes but because I use sand as the bedding if i add dirt it gets too compacted. They seem to like the sand a little more...
On occasion when i haven't used it as the bedding I've put the sand in round cake pans, but they throw it out pretty fast, so next time i have to do that I'm using something like a beer box i will cut an entrance in the center of and then put sand in it so it can't go out so bad.
Oh and I add dry or fresh herbs to it sometimes too, they like to pick it out and its a good healthy snack. Oregano, parsley and branches of dill are their favorites.

 

[1HobbyMan-Home]

My quail like regular old dirt. The holes they make in the dirt are only a few inches deep, a cat litter pan would work well.

Thanks, appreciate your reply. Question/ regular building sand or children's play sand?

 

[1HobbyMan-Home]

My quail like regular old dirt. The holes they make in the dirt are only a few inches deep, a cat litter pan would work well.

Mine love sand, most people suggest sand, I do use dirt sometimes but because I use sand as the bedding if i add dirt it gets too compacted. They seem to like the sand a little more...
On occasion when i haven't used it as the bedding I've put the sand in round cake pans, but they throw it out pretty fast, so next time i have to do that I'm using something like a beer box i will cut an entrance in the center of and then put sand in it so it can't go out so bad.
Oh and I add dry or fresh herbs to it sometimes too, they like to pick it out and its a good healthy snack. Oregano, parsley and branches of dill are their favorites.

Thanks for your reply. Question regular building sand or children's play sand?

 

[mixedUPturk]

Thanks for your reply. Question regular building sand or children's play sand?

I dont believe ive ever seen this specified good question! I know with reptiles they say builders or play sand both have too much silica and its like walking on glass to them. With tiny birds who have scales on their feet it makes me wonder but im betting most people just use one of these or the other.

That being said I have builders sand in my pens it hasnt seemed to affect anything except drainage which is what i needed. My quail get a helping of wood ash with mostly dirt and sand. Thats whats usually recommended for chickens. The wood ash is helpful at keeping parasites at bay.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Dusty dirt from outside should be fine. Wood ash is good to mix in if you can get some, but not required. Don't add diatomaceous earth- some people suggest it, but it's really harsh on the lungs.

 

[Little Jerry Seinfeld]

I use natural samd from our creek, but occasionally have used construction/builders sand. Whatever you use, just double check there isnt anything added to it, chemicals i mean.

 

[Lady_Bat]

We use kitty litter boxes or disposable aluminum pans (from Costco, Walmart, grocery stores have them too). We use a 2x4 as a step but most of them don't need the step. Here's a picture of the aluminum pan.
We put sand in them. We used to get play sand but found construction sand is a bit cheaper. They didn't have a preference so we go with the cheaper one.