eating sand

[yfchoice]

My almost 3 week old chicks moved into their new brooder today. You'd thought they were released from prison.....running and flapping everywhere. I put a bowl of play sand in and they started eating it in addition to playing in it. They ignored their food until I took the sand out. Then they realized their food again.

Any danger of them eating too much sand if I put it back in?

 

[rockabilly7]

do you offer them grit??? If no that might be why they're eating sand.

 

[birdlover]

That sounds normal to me. Lots of BYCers offer sand to dust bathe in. Probably good you took it out though, if they were ignoring their real food. Sand is like grit so they can eat treats in addition to their chick starter. Isn't it so cute when they run around and jump and flap their little wings??!!

 

[MissJames]

Quote:
I have given mine play sand as grit,with no ill effects,but I also give it with a treat.I hang a head of cabbage or give them some yogurt or earthworms.Their starter feed doesn't require grit,but the treats do. Just put a small amount in a bowl or saucer .Mine were a little bit older when I added treats.