Hen Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 can someone please tell me what sort of sand i need to get for the chickens to have a sand bath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 play sand not builders sand! We found they like it best when mixed with some soil (eg. grow bags) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Of course they'll probably ignore what you provide and dig their own The other day Pepper (my biggest bantam) dug a huge crater in the middle of the run. Luckily it's on a permanent base - I wouldn't want her doing that to the lawn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I just use dry earth from the garden. Bit wet at the moment so I steal it out of hubbies greenhouse....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Playsand mixed with diatom and red mite powder- makes them smell lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I've spent fortunes in the past providing luxurious dust bathing stuff. They don't want to know. They would much rather make their own. I don't bother now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I read in an old issue of Practical Poultry that you should just use earth, in case they get sand in their eyes. Mine just use a crater in the greenhouse floor. Must chuck some diatom in there when I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I used a shallow, red tub trug. I filled it with a mixture of boradly equal quantities of: playpit sand, compost (potting and general purpose), andwood ash. I then mixed in a little aubiose (as the sand was so wet), some diatom, and some Stalosan. The girls love it and have beencommunal bathing. Lydia spends ages in there, chucking the contents over herself. When I first put it in the run i thought it was far too big, but it isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Witchy, your hens are just beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Hi, What is Diatom? I really must make a dustbath for my girls as they are confined to the run at the moment and my husband likes me to move the run frequently because its on the lawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrandMrsG Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Yes, I'd like to know what Diatom is too and where would you get it from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 Diatomaceous Earth - it's available from the Omlet shop: http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken%20Extras&sub=health&product_id=230 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...