debbie26pet Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 what do u all use in the run for them to dust bath? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I use woodash out of me woodburner in one of those big plastic saucers that go under large plant pots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Shallow tubtrug filled with playsand, diatom earth and a sprinkling of red mite powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChickNic Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 can i put sawdust in my dustbath? There is a DIY shop over the road which says I can have some for free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted March 14, 2008 Author Share Posted March 14, 2008 Shallow tubtrug filled with playsand, diatom earth and a sprinkling of red mite powder. diatom earth were i get this from? can i use the builder sand? we have a couple bags left over? from builders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 can i put sawdust in my dustbath? There is a DIY shop over the road which says I can have some for free! Sawdust shouldn't be used as it can cause breathing problems. Diatom is available form the Omlet shop or do a google search. Builders sand is a little too course, playsand or very dry compost is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I have to confess that I don't bother now, after they spurned the tub I put out for them! They just dig down through the bark to the soil - or wait until they're free-ranging and use the dry sandy soil at the base of the fence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NClaire Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 We use play sand and every so often put in mite/lice powder. I think you shouldn't use that all the time, as it can stress their lungs if they breathe it in too much. But every 6-8 weeks is fine. Mine often just dust bathe in their easibed/aubiose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 they just dust bathe in the aubiose in the run or the edge of the garden when they're free ranging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted March 14, 2008 Author Share Posted March 14, 2008 mine all on flags so need something, esp when weather not grt like has been, and not fit to free range. even though i do find a few mins for them to have a outings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 mine all on flags so need something, esp when weather not grt like has been, and not fit to free range. even though i do find a few mins for them to have a outings if they only get for a few minutes debbie, i;d really recommend you put something in the run for them to scratch around in; hemcore, aubiose, woodchips, or they'll be very bored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted March 14, 2008 Author Share Posted March 14, 2008 i like them out more some days if nice they nearly out all time, im gonna be worming so want to keep them in run for this, weekends they out from after dinner i keep in morning to get them to eat there brekky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Someone (I can't remember who, now) managed to get her hens to use the nice dustbathing tub she'd set up by planting a small shrub at one end - chickens just can't seem to resist digging around plants! I would second the hemcore/aubiose in the run - I've got my pekins in an ark on the patio, so I've put hemcore down just to give them something nicer underfoot and help absorb the poo. It also makes it harder to find the corn I throw down, which keeps them busy for a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted March 14, 2008 Author Share Posted March 14, 2008 does it get soggy hubby not keen on the soggy bit, or is it messy etc? is there any bad bits people can think of im really thinking about this all how about if i did half of it like them kids sandpits u can get on the floor the wood ones and kept some flags? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NClaire Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 sand gets really soggy ime. Aubiose/Hemcore/Easibed/woodchips seem to be the nicest thing for them underfoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
