does clay have nutritional benefits to finches?

[lonchura_boi]

I've been using clay based (fulers earth) cat litter on the floors of my cages for the better part of a year. I've noticed that on clean out day, the first thing most of the birds do head straight down and have a good rummage and nibble. they seem to get visibly excited on clean out day. in fact i went back to using sand just for a change for a week and then when i put the cat litter back into one cage the birds in the neighbouring cage were pacing the wire trying to get at the clay, they couldn't wait.

I know many parrot species eat clay in the wild as a natural tonic, could it do the same for finches?

incidentally, i briefly used a different type of clay and the birds showed no interest

[debbie276]

I also used clay kitty litter in the bottom of my indoor aviary, the birds loved it. Also added clay to their mineral mix.

[finchmix22]

Did you stop using the clay? If so, what did you put in its place?

[Sally]

I used to use Oil-dri, which is a similar product to kitty litter, and had the same type behavior from the birds, they would spend a lot of time on the bottom of the cage going through the bedding. I do offer a product called Claycal (from Hagen) in my mineral mix, which is a clay product.

[debbie276]

Bentonite clay is often added to mineral mixes by breeders.
Here's some linka to clays and their benefits:

http://www.getbirdstuff.com/getbirdstuf ... e2d-p.html

http://www.californiaearthminerals.com/birds.html

http://www.allnaturalpetcare.com/Holist ... -Pets.html

[finchmix22]

Thanks Sally and Debbie! I have not given my finches any clay or mineral mix before, but sounds like it is a good idea with the current species I'm breeding.