Grit for Button Quail?

[Dovetail]

Hello,

Have never had button quail, but I have researched them. However, one question I have is this: What is grit, what kind do I get, and where do I get it? I really don't have a clue. Thanks!

 

[JaeG]

For button hens oyster shell grit is essential because some lay continuously over summer and they need a lot of calcium to make all those eggs. If you give them sand in their dust bath that will be sufficient for insoluble grit to aid digestion.

 

[Dovetail]

Gotcha. It looks like the local pet stores sell that.

Do I mash up the grit like I crush the food?

 

[JaeG]

A pet shop should sell fine oyster shell grit and it should be ok as it is, or they'll pick out the smaller pieces. There shouldn't be too much left over.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Grit and calcium are NOT the same thing.

Hens laying eggs use up a lot of calcium, so you have to give them more, in the form of tiny bits of oyster shell for them to eat. This gets digested.

Grit is basically their teeth. Birds can't chew, so they keep their food in their gizzard for a little while, where powerful muscles use the grit they've swallowed to grind their food up. Grit is small pebbles and sand, usually, and all birds need it. A large-grain sand should provide enough grit for your quail. Grit is not digested.

 

[Dovetail]

Grit and calcium are NOT the same thing.
A large-grain sand should provide enough grit for your quail. Grit is not digested.

So, the kind of sand I can get at Home Depot or Menard's?

 

[Dovetail]

A pet shop should sell fine oyster shell grit and it should be ok as it is, or they'll pick out the smaller pieces. There shouldn't be too much left over.

Thank you!!

 

[Fishkeeper]

Sure, you could buy sand there, or you can just go outside and get a big handful of dirt from somewhere without any chemical spills or significant pesticide load. Spread it out in the sun for a bit so all the bugs will leave, then put it on a baking tray in your oven for awhile to kill any potential germs, then dump it in a dish and give it to them. Dust bath and grit all in one.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Oyster Shell is not grit. For finer grind grit Walmart sells it for Budgies. (parakeets)

 

[jc681]

Hello,

Have never had button quail, but I have researched them. However, one question I have is this: What is grit, what kind do I get, and where do I get it? I really don't have a clue. Thanks!