Quail eating the sand in their sandbox?

[lostquail]

I put a "sandbox" of sorts in with my bobwhites for them to take dustbaths in but so far they only seem to be eating it. They'll scratch around a bit but for the most part they just gobble it up as if it were their food, although there's no food in it, just regular "all purpose" sand I got from home depot. Is this harmful to them? Should I use something else instead of the sand they have in there now?

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

It is normal. It is good for them.

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

What state do you live in?

 

[shelleyd2008]

Sand is grit, perfectly normal

 

[Rozzie]

They will eat some of it. If they were eating huge amounts then I might be concerned. I'd toss in a bit of poultry grit (maybe mix in a tablespoon or two). I do that for my coturnix. They pick out what they want.

 

[_Randall_]

Like others have said, it's a natural part of their dietary habits. I keep sand boxes in all of my Bob pens year round, and they eat about as much as they kick out when bathing in it.........and they couldn't be any healthier, I don't think.

 

[Qquails899]

They will eat some of it. If they were eating huge amounts then I might be concerned. I'd toss in a bit of poultry grit (maybe mix in a tablespoon or two). I do that for my coturnix. They pick out what they want.

What is a normal amount and what is considered too much?

 

[TwoCrows]

What is a normal amount and what is considered too much?

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.

 

[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.

Thank you so much!

 

[Hope Hughes]

You will also want to make sure there are no additives to the sand you are buying. If you have the ability to get sand around your property or around where you live I would choose that over the store bought. That way you know it isnt bleached or washed with chemicals. But i agree it is natural. Mine used to live on the dirt so they would find the little rocks for their gizzards.