There is still a widespread assumption that the fine-grained sand mixed with lime and grit is merely a hygiene product. But the sand in a bird house is so much more than that.

Regardless of whether you have a budgerigar, canary or exotic bird, no cage should be without bird sand. It is specially prepared, round-grained and deburred quartz sand. Under no circumstances should sand from the beach or from a sand pit be used as bird sand: such sand grains are too sharp-edged and coarse; moreover, this sand is mixed with additives such as salt or microorganisms.

• Cage hygiene: first and foremost, bird sand is an absorbent hygiene litter. It binds the liquid from the bird droppings to prevent stubborn soiling of the floor pan.
• Plumage care: birds like to take a sand bath from time to time. The grains of sand in the plumage make it too uncomfortable for parasites such as shaft lice or mites. Sand is essential for the birds’ bodily hygiene. Provide the birds with a separate bowl for this purpose, and place it in a hanging position.
• Metabolism: special grit is not real bird sand, but shell fragments. This is important for the birds’ mineral balance and metabolism. The birds peck at the grit and pick up different sized particles, which further grind the food in the bird’s stomach like a grater. Since birds cannot chew, they depend on the help of these so-called “gastroliths”. It is important for the bird to be provided with the grit in a separate, clean bowl.

The aniseed oil added to the bird sand serves as a disinfectant and the fresh scent is also pleasant for human noses. Bird sand for large and small birds is available from well-known suppliers such as Vitakraft, Chipsi, Sanicat, Versele-Laga and MultiFit.

The layer of sand in the cage tray should not be too thin. Cover the bottom generously with a layer of sand about 0.5 to 1 centimetre high. If for some reason you prefer an alternative bird litter, such as beech wood granules, cork or hemp meal, you should still provide bird sand in a small bowl.

You should change the bird sand every third day or at least once a week, depending on how many birds are in the cage or aviary. Use a spoon to remove the droppings from the cage at other times. Please note: If possible, do not dispose of used bird sand in the household waste, but in the organic waste bin. Under no circumstances should you dispose of it down the toilet.