Sand or dust alternatives?

[jaymean]

Hi everyone!

I need some recommendations on safe, cost effective sand alternatives. I have 7 quails (4 buttons, 3 coturnix) that live indoor. I've been using chinchilla sand in their dust boxes and they seem to love it. I first tried chinchilla dust and was appalled at how it got EVERYWHERE, so that's not an option for me.

Does anyone use anything else that's safe and relatively cheap?

 

[le_bwah]

Dirt. Seriously, quail love it. Do you have an oven or microwave? Go outside, scoop up some dirt and cook it, following gardening guides online for sterilization. All you're trying to do is kill bacteria/worm eggs so the birds don't get sick. It's heavy enough it doesn't get flung as far as sand and it's basically free (just make sure there's no pesticide/herbicide on it, that could do nasty things when heated). Washed multipurpose sand could also work too.

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Hey, I would look here! There are lots of good ideas here!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/indoor-chicken-bedding.601530/

Good luck!

 

[Fishkeeper]

The only things you can put in a sand/dirt/dust bath are sand, dirt, and dust. It's called a dust bath for a reason, it needs to contain dust. The fine particles are what suffocate any mites and provide the grooming benefits, and the rest is what provides the enrichment.
Dirt, especially compost dirt, is least likely to get literally everywhere. They might dustbathe in sawdust but won't get any benefits beyond that. If you don't give them a suitable sandbox, you'll know, they'll dustbathe in their grits/feed instead.

 

[Danny C.]

I don’t have mine inside. They are outside but off the ground and 40-50 bobwhites love Play Sand from Home Depot. $4.50 for 50 lb bag.
Every few weeks when I change it they instantly start dusting, almost turning upside down bathing. Fun to see their excitement.

 

[jaymean]

Hey, I would look here! There are lots of good ideas here!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/indoor-chicken-bedding.601530/

Good luck!

Awesome resource! Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[jaymean]

The only things you can put in a sand/dirt/dust bath are sand, dirt, and dust. It's called a dust bath for a reason, it needs to contain dust. The fine particles are what suffocate any mites and provide the grooming benefits, and the rest is what provides the enrichment.
Dirt, especially compost dirt, is least likely to get literally everywhere. They might dustbathe in sawdust but won't get any benefits beyond that. If you don't give them a suitable sandbox, you'll know, they'll dustbathe in their grits/feed instead.

Great suggestion. I didn't think about mixing the sand and dust together. Thanks for the help!

 

[jaymean]

I don’t have mine inside. They are outside but off the ground and 40-50 bobwhites love Play Sand from Home Depot. $4.50 for 50 lb bag.
Every few weeks when I change it they instantly start dusting, almost turning upside down bathing. Fun to see their excitement.

I love seeing their excitement too! I'll look into the Play Sand. Thanks for the help!

 

[MIchickenlady]

I use dry contractors sand from Home Depot-play sand is usually wet--i learned the hard way it gets stinky fast! keep sand dry, scoop the poops and its great in the run!
the sand grains should be different sizes.

 

[jaymean]

Dirt. Seriously, quail love it. Do you have an oven or microwave? Go outside, scoop up some dirt and cook it, following gardening guides online for sterilization. All you're trying to do is kill bacteria/worm eggs so the birds don't get sick. It's heavy enough it doesn't get flung as far as sand and it's basically free (just make sure there's no pesticide/herbicide on it, that could do nasty things when heated). Washed multipurpose sand could also work too.

That's a great tip. I think I'm going to end up doing a mix of dirt, sand, and dust as recommended by all of you.

Do you have a recommended cook time for the dirt? I have both an oven and microwave.