Sandboxes?

[grouse]

I have 7-week-old Bobwhite chicks that I'm planning on moving from the brooder to their coop/flight pen either tomorrow or the day after. I saw some posts about them liking to take "dustbaths" in sandboxes, so I bought a few kitty litter pans and put them in the flight pen area. I haven't bought the sand yet, but before I do, is there any specific type of sand I should get for them? Or any specific type I should avoid?

I was thinking about picking up a 60 pound bag of Quikrete Tube Sand from TSC to put in the kitty litter pans. Here's a link to it
www.tractorsupply.com/post-installation-equipment-supplies/sand-mortar-cement/tubesand-sand-4737976

Would that work okay?

Another store around here also has "Play Sand," which is a little more expensive, but if that would somehow be better for them I'll get that instead.

Also, should they be fine with the sandboxes at 7 weeks old? I'm concerned they might eat it or something. Thanks!

 

[JJMR794]

They Will Be Fine With It And Quite Happy Once They Get Over The Shock Of "omg!!! Whats That!? Will It Eat Me?"

 

[_Randall_]

And once they figure out what it is, they will fight to be one of those on the bottom of the pile (of birds) to get to the sand. What's neat is once the females are mature enough to become layers, they use the sand box as the egg-droppin place. Absolutely very clean eggs when gather them, and why they don't break with all the ruckus that goes in in there.............I don't know

 

[grouse]

I ended up getting a 50 pound bag of Quikrete All Purpose Sand, which is more coarse than the "play sand" and contains small pebbles and stuff, so I hope that'll be alright. I'll let you know how they like it!

 

[devinthesaint]

Please let us know. I have been wondering the same thing myself. Was just thinking of putting plain dirt but ours is very silty and full of puncture vine thorns...might try play sand...

 

[secretquail]

I just use the cheapest sand. I pour in a cup full of oyster shell every once in a while. They do eat it, and the sand, but don't worry about the bigger pieces. If it is too big, they won't eat it. A few days after I add the oyster shell, only the big chunks are left behind.

 

[grouse]

Here's something I hadn't thought of: what about when it rains? Won't the rain harden the sand or cause mold issues? I don't really have a cover for it, and even if I did, I might not be home or there might be a sudden rain storm or something that would get it all wet again. How do the rest of you deal with this?

 

[EggHunter_66]

I am new with Quail, I have 13 button quail roughly 3-4 weeks old and I was wondering.....would they enjoy that sandbath too? Get idea using a cat's litter pan, but are the Button Quail to small to get in one of those?
I have Chickens and Turkeys and I know they LOVE their sandbaths!

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
NO MOLD ISSUES.... IF THE RAIN HARDENS IT THE BIRDS WILL SOFTEN IT...

 

[Rozzie]

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