substrate

[Owlet]

Lincoln loves to go to the ground and pick at the carpet. I was thinking it would be a good idea to make him a little digging box. Building the box wouldn't be a big problem but I'm not sure what kind of sand/dirt would be okay for him. to be digging in / foraging in

 

[SilverSage]

Unbuttered, unsalted, airpopped popcorn is what I would recommend.


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[Owlet]

Im... im really confused but alright im sure Lincoln would love popcorn.

 

[SilverSage]

lol that's what we use as the stuff to dig through. I got the idea from a friend of mine who used it for her GCC. It's cheap, easy to dig through, safe if ingested.


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[Owlet]

I guess but I rather not have Lincoln consume corn of any variety since he's had problems with it in the past.

 

[SailBoat]

We are big believes and deep into ai-pop popcorn. If your Parrot has a problem with it, fully understand!

Sand is our second choice, because at the cottage, we have tons of Lake Michigan sand available at the cost of shoving it into a bag.

The important part is baking the sand prior to use to kill anything that maybe running around inside it. Cookie Sheets and 350 degrees for two hours kills everything. Spread in thin and let cool until you can handle it!

NOTE: Most Vac's hate sand! So clean-up will eat Vac's so, keep that in mind. Our Amazons Loves Sand, but the popcorn is much easier for clean-up! Once again, understand your concern!

The neat part about sand is that you can reuse it 'if' you have an outside grill to burn-off the stuff that will collect in it over time. FYI: Keep the grill top open when retreating!!!

 

[Owlet]

Yeah looks like sand is the best option. I do have an outdoors grill that I can use. Are there any brand suggestions? I'd prefer something relatively inexpensive and of course safe (no added chemicals etc whatever)

 

[SailBoat]

Yeah looks like sand is the best option. I do have an outdoors grill that I can use. Are there any brand suggestions? I'd prefer something relatively inexpensive and of course safe (no added chemicals etc whatever)

I have (no surprise) never purchased sand. So, I haven't a clue as to what brand name to use. On the expensive side, sand that they use in fish bowls would be my choice if I were to ever have too! No need to do a pre-cook! The other choice would be a home and garden center and then cook!

 

[Flboy]

This stuff looks good!
Quikrete® Play Sand (1113-51) - Concrete / Blacktop / Sand - Ace Hardware

 

[EllenD]

Speaking as a lifelong reptile owner and current owner of a bearded dragon, the safest sand for use as an animal substrate, believe it or not, is plain old play sand that you buy at Home Depot or Lowes. It's the finest sand available (helps if any is accidentally ingested), it's the "cleanest" meaning it consists of ONLY quartz and no other rocks, stones, etc., and it is very well pre washed, dried, and screened. No chemicals added either, a lot of animal-specific sands have supplements added to them like calcium, other vitamins and minerals, etc. and it's not only bad for your animals because it attracts bacteria and can actually cause them or encourage them to eat it, but it stinks!

$4 for a 50 pound bag at Home Depot or Lowes (heavy as hell btw). Just bake the amount you'll be using on a cookie sheet for at least 2 hours at 350 degrees and you're good! Make sure that you watch your bird at first to ensure he's not eating it, sometimes they do, most of the time with birds it's not an issue though. It can cause impaction if they do ingest it, even a little accidentally ingested, which is the main reason the play sand is best for animal substrates. It's the finest, most consistent sand available, so if a small amount is ingested it can usually be passed without issue.

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[Owlet]

Thank you all very much for the help