Finches and Grit/Sand

[james.uk]

Hello,

I am new to keeping finches and wanted to know if anyone does, or does not, give their finches grit/sand.

I was told that they needed this to aid them in grinding food in their gizzards, but I have read, in the book about finch care that I am currently reading, that grit/sand is not good for finches as it can block their digestive systems, and that it is also unnecessary for them.

I know some birds need it, and I was wondering what others did with their finches and what they know about this.

Also, I keep quail in the bottom of my aviary, and I think they need grit/sand (but I will check again to be entirely sure). If I leave grit either in the quails' feed or a separate bowl placed on the aviary floor, would this present a risk to the finches? The finches always have plenty of food available in higher locations and I have never seen them eat from the quails' bowls.

Thank you. Please let me know if anyone knows anything about this.

[Sally]

The only birds that need grit are those that eat their seed whole. Then they need grit to grind the seed up so it can be digested. Finches hull their seed, so they do not need grit. Often, when people talk about grit for finches, what they really mean is a mineral mix, which is not only good but necessary for finches. Mineral mixes are not grit or sand, but are made up of various minerals such as oystershell, egg shells, charcoal, etc. which supply calcium and other minerals to the body of finches.

I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about quails. Others on the forum do have them, and they should be able to answer your questions.

[james.uk]

Thank you very much for that information Sally. I will get some mineral mix.

[StodOne]

I don't think that it will be a risk to put grit/sand in there because birds instinctively know what they need to eat when they are missing something , they might use some grit but I doubt it would be of any danger to them .
Sorry I don't know much about quails , all I know is that they dont stand on perches and have really tasty eggs ^_^

[james.uk]

Thanks. I'll likely leave some grit in a bowl on the floor of the aviary (another person advised me that they need it), I think you are right that the finches are smart enough to know what they need.

[StodOne]

james.uk They are smart , but it is not the the smart what makes them eat what they crave its their instinct

[james.uk]

james.uk They are smart , but it is not the the smart what makes them eat what they crave its their instinct

Yes, I know what you mean. Although I suppose instinct can count as a type of intelligence depending on the definition used.