4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Ange1]

I want to set up a homemade dust bath in one of those shallow flexible trugs?

 

I know the hens will make their own in a boarder but whilst they are in their run they might want a quick bath?!

 

I've been reading somewhere and I THINK this is what was suggested, am I right?

 

Top soil

sand (what sort though?)

red mite powder?

 

Anything else?

[WitchHazel]

My girls LOVE their tubtrug bath, and they all bathe together.

 

I use broadly equal quantities of: Play sand, compost, woodash and then I mix in some Aubiose (if the sand is wet), plus some Diatom or Red Mite powder, and a little Stalosan (which is a disinfectant)

 

I have used coal ash, but I stopped as I read it can cause scaly leg.

[Ange1]

ooh Hazel that's a lot more than I thought.

 

I can hear my Boyfriend now 'we have sand'! It's builder's sharp sand though NOT play sand, shall i tell him NO now, or would it be okay??

[superjules]

I have used coal ash, but I stopped as I read it can cause scaly leg.

 

But scaly leg is a mite? I don't understand how it could be caused by coal ash.

 

As long as your sand is horticultural grade it is ok. Playsand is just normally the cheapest and most readily available type of horticultural grade sand.

[WitchHazel]

I have used coal ash, but I stopped as I read it can cause scaly leg.

 

But scaly leg is a mite? I don't understand how it could be caused by coal ash.

 

I don't remember where I read it now, and I've just done a quick google and can't find it. I don't think the article mentioned/meant scaly leg mite, I had the impression it caused problems for the legs IYSWIM.

[superjules]

Probably not the best idea to use coal ash unless you like your chooks to look like miners anyway!

[MadMitch]

I just use peat with a sprinkle of Diatom. earth in it.

[Christian]

I use ash from my wood fire but we also burn coal sometimes. Wood and coal ash act as a preventative against most mites.

[Ange1]

what is diotom for?

[MadMitch]

what is diotom for?

 

See omlet link below

 

http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken%20Extras&sub=Health&product_id=230

[StephanieSB]

Does the dust bath have to be kept dry? Or do you leave it out in the rain and let it dry naturally?

[MadMitch]

Mine is in their run so is mainly undercover it does get a bit wet at the edges but soon dries out.

[superjules]

I left a dustbath in the rain last year. The combination of diatom and fine compost made something vaguely resembling concrete!

[StephanieSB]

I left a dustbath in the rain last year. The combination of diatom and fine compost made something vaguely resembling concrete!

 

 

Ah, I see -- so what is the usual routine for dust baths then? Do you take the bath out to them in the morning, if it's a dry day? And leave it inside at night or on wet days?

[sheik]

I don't think the grade of sand is crucial. I use builders sand mixed with compost. Didn't think to put stalosan in too though, so will add that next.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the quantities, as chickens will dust bath in any old earth, (even if it is more like mud, which is slightly vexing when you have a white silkie)

 

I'd try and get quite a deep container if possible, unless you don't mind the dirt getting kicked all over the run. I use a plastic storage box that is about 14" high, so they need to jump up onto the edge to get into it.

 

/\dam

[Christian]

I use a cat litter tray with a 'lip' which keeps most of the ash in. It is in the corner of their outdoor run with a very Heath Robinson wooden cover on legs

[Hen Watch]

For me recipe is:

- dry garden earth (best stuff is in hubbies greenhouse ....sshhh)

- Diatom (if I have it).

 

I keep the dustbath under the Winter Shade in the run. In Winter when I had to really scratch around for dry mud, I topped it up with Auboise.

 

This is their dustbath which they jumped in before I got chance to put it back in the run.

 

[SLK69]

just have to reply to this one - as a fairly new chkk mum - there was no expense or product un bought. including a dustbath!

 

today I was watching them digging a whole in the garden (loose use of the word) and I added some of the kids sand pit - perfect bath. dry earth and second hand sand.

 

S

[Hen Watch]

today I was watching them digging a whole in the garden (loose use of the word) and I added some of the kids sand pit - perfect bath. dry earth and second hand sand.

 

Mine have 2 crater sized sites in the garden too that they used during the day when free ranging. But sometimes they prefer to hop in the one I put in their run and I can't tell you why that is....... funny little things. I have even had them fly up into it as I carry it into their enclosure, they love it that much

[Ange1]

Love the photo!