Quail eating the sand in their sandbox?

[Qquails899]

A few bites here and there are good for the gizzard and digestion. If they are hungry and sand is all they are eating, then there is a problem. And never use sand in brooders, babies don't know the difference between sand and food. Gorging on sand will kill them.

And what should I do if my quail is eating a lot of sand? I know that quails have to dust bathe but I'm worried and I don't want to let her because she eats the sand.

 

[TwoCrows]

And what should I do if my quail is eating a lot of sand? I know that quails have to dust bathe but I'm worried and I don't want to let her because she eats the sand.

I would only put out a tiny bit of sand for a while and see how this one does. Make SURE this one is getting enough to eat. If they feel threatened or bullied at the feeder, she may be gorging on sand because she is hungry. Put out another feeder and water station so she gets enough to eat. Put the sand back in a couple of days and see if she continues to eat a lot of it. Not only hunger but intestinal issues will cause them to gorge on sand. You can try some probiotics in the water to help with digestion along with everything else I suggested here.

 

[muans]

A few bites here and there are good for the gizzard and digestion. If they are hungry and sand is all they are eating, then there is a problem. And never use sand in brooders, babies don't know the difference between sand and food. Gorging on sand will kill them.

when will i provide them the sand?

 

[TwoCrows]

when will i provide them the sand?

After they are old enough to realize sand is not food, you can offer more of it. At 6-8 weeks they should know not to eat too much sand.

 

[muans]

After they are old enough to realize sand is not food, you can offer more of it. At 6-8 weeks they should know not to eat too much sand.

okay that informative today i put two weeks quail in the sand bedding coop at first they were sand bathing but after a few minutes they were munching the sand so i move them back to the brooder..ive had this batch a few months back where i kept them in a sand bedding when they were 1 week old and they didn't eat they were just fine with it

 

[TwoCrows]

okay that informative today i put two weeks quail in the sand bedding coop at first they were sand bathing but after a few minutes they were munching the sand so i move them back to the brooder..ive had this batch a few months back where i kept them in a sand bedding when they were 1 week old and they didn't eat they were just fine with it

Every bird is different. So why risk it! Young birds have been known to eat enough sand to kill them. It's best to wait until they know the difference between food and sand as grit or bathing material.

 

[muans]

Every bird is different. So why risk it! Young birds have been known to eat enough sand to kill them. It's best to wait until they know the difference between food and sand as grit or bathing material.

thank you so much very informative what can i use instead of sand for their beddinh since i am using towels and i'll have to wash it again..andit adds up to my chores??

 

[TwoCrows]

thank you so much very informative what can i use instead of sand for their beddinh since i am using towels and i'll have to wash it again..andit adds up to my chores??

Do you have access to a pet store, feed store or order on line? You can use grass hay, pine shavings, any bagged hays like Timothy, you can even use 1/4 hardware cloth but that too needs to be scrubbed daily since poop gets hard and damages their foot pads.

 

[muans]

Do you have access to a pet store, feed store or order on line? You can use grass hay, pine shavings, any bagged hays like Timothy, you can even use 1/4 hardware cloth but that too needs to be scrubbed daily since poop gets hard and damages their foot pads.

i have lots of hay will i need to chop them to pieces its a bit long

 

[TwoCrows]

i have lots of hay will i need to chop them to pieces its a bit long

Any hay is fine. As long as they can walk ok on it, as they grow any length of hay will do, babies can stumble on long strands or get caught up in it. They grow fast, you shouldn't need to cut it down for long!