Quail chicks and sand timing

[MrJudeRaw]

I see that most recommend you wait a few weeks to give chicks sand to bathe in. I know mostly because of illness borne in the sand with the heat but is that the only reason? can they have it supervised as long as I remove it?

 

[Nabiki]

Very young chicks are likely to eat the sand. Older birds may eat some of the sand too, but it doesn't impact their crops and prevent them from eating enough food like it does with tiny chicks.