lisaroo2 Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 How do I make a dustbath for the girls? I've got some sort of fine garden soil that I could dig up and put in a container, will that do? What kind of container is best? I think theres an old 3" deep meat tray in the garage somewhere, would that be ok? ....oh the troubles of being a new chook mum, so many questions!!!!!!!!!!! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Most of the time the girls will just dig a hole and bathe in it. The tray you have sounds great so just throw the soil in it, sit back, watch and wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanters Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Anything that's deep enough to hold a good amount of soil (at least3 inches deep). If you haven't given your girls a dusting of anti-parasite powder already, I'd squirt a bit into the dustbath and they can apply it themselves. Sit back and be prepared to be entertained! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 Chantelle, whats anti parasite powder? I've got red mite powder from Omlet, will that do? If so how much do I put in the soil? I presume I just mix it in?????????? .....More questions! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Chantelle, whats anti parasite powder? I've got red mite powder from Omlet, will that do? If so how much do I put in the soil? I presume I just mix it in?????????? .....More questions! Lisa I put red mite and lice powder in. Went out and bought a big trug plus compost before we let them free range and no surprise they have completely ignored it. Think we've already got 6 craters in the soil in the garden - lol Watching them have dust baths is hilarious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 Will do that then. To recap - will fill large tray with garden soil adding squirt of red mite powder, place in run and enjoy the fun! This chook caring business is fun but also a little nerve wracking. There seems to be so many questions and I know I'm worrying unneccesarily most of the time, but.......... Have you worked out that I'm a natural worrier then????? Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanters Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Lisaroo2, welcome to the club of habitual hen worriers! You can buy combined anti-lice/flea/mite powder online and be sure it caters for those parasites in particular rather than just red mite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 Where do I get the powder you mentioned from in your last post? Is it the same as diatomaceous earth that omlet sell? Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanters Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 The Diatomaceous Earth powder will do or Kil-Pest Insect Powder. I use the latter and bought it online from the Domestic Fowl Trust. http://www.domesticfowltrust.co.uk/health.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 I put red mite and lice powder in. Went out and bought a big trug plus compost before we let them free range and no surprise they have completely ignored it. Think we've already got 6 craters in the soil in the garden - lol Watching them have dust baths is hilarious I went to the trouble of creating a dust bath too and it also was totally ignored...do I now put the louse powder in the hen-made dust baths in the garden? If I treat them directly, how often need it be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanters Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 There are two approaches really. Some people choose to wait and treat a hen once they've spotted parasites and others give a dusting about every 2-4 months. It's up to ones own judgment and what works for you. Personally, especially with the warm weather and the fact I live in a rural area where deer and other wild animals come close by, I squirt the powder in the dustbaths about every 2 months. If I see any parasites on the girls in between then I give them all a individual dusting. I also make sure the coop has a dusting about every 3 months and the nest boxes every 1-2 months but again it depends if there are parasites around or not. You can squirt the powder into the girls own self-made dustbath, it'll work just the same. Yesterday, one of my girls decided the dustbath I made them wasn't good enough for her so she went off and made her own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Mine dust bathe around the garden. But I do still have a dust bath in their run for entertainment and also so they can use it in wet weather. I use dry earth (stolen from hubbies greenhouse) and a bit of Diatom. In Winter when there wasn't enough dry earth to be found I added a few handfuls of Auboise to top it up. You could use old flowerpot compost too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devon_guy Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 I'm thinking if/when I get my chickens I'll put some earth in a container for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted May 9, 2008 Author Share Posted May 9, 2008 Quick up date on dustbath scenario... ...said Lasses are trying to make their own! I never got round to making one yesterday as I felt too tired with this lurgy thing I've got. Anyway they've been really busy today making a nice little hollow by the entrance to the run. It's been quite sweet really! Maisie did look at me quite cruelly at one point as if to say ' you should be doing this, you've had the advice from the forum!' Lisa new mum to... The Staffs Lasses Daisy Maisie Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
