Nesting of Indian Fantail

Question
Hi, Mr. Ruble, I was thinking about putting sand instead of straws or dried grass in the nesting bowl of Indian Fantails. Do you think sand has higher chance of a hygiene nest and incubating eggs? I live in Bangladesh so pine needles are not available here. And since weather in this country is too humid straws or other dried crop materials make mites infestation easier. I was also thinking of putting Nim tree (Azadirachta indica)leaves in the nest because it is used to pest and disease control in Bangladesh. Please let me know.

Thank You.

Answer
Niaz, I have used sand in the nest bowls.  I lived in the semi-tropics at the time and it worked fine.  Where I live now in central US, I think the sand would act as a heat-sink and cool the eggs too much.  I am not familiar with the Nim tree, but as long as it doesnt cause a skin irritation, I would think it would work fine.