Nacktschnecken omlet Cube

[Ange1]

Well as above really!

 

I've used a kitty litter tray and put in 2 3rds play sand and then 1 3rd dry soil and a sprinkling of red mite powder (smells nice doesn't it? )

 

The first day, it was just play sand, they pecked and ate at it a bit and stood in it, second day I added soil still no red mite powder, one of them had a dust bath (yay!). After that, and it was when I had added the red mite powder they've started to scoff the lot!

 

Slight exageration, they pick out the soil and kick out some of it, basically I'm having to make up a new dust bath every day, and it's at the back of the run underneath the cube, to keep dry so I have to clamber in or use a rake to drag it to me each time!

 

Am I being daft making up a new dust bath each day?

 

Is it normal for them to eat so much dirt? I would say that I don't put much more than an inch in the bottom each time.

 

It's still early days, they're not allowed out until Wednesday when I hope this will not happen as much?!

 

Has anyone else had this happen?!

[Sandychick]

I'm a bit new to all this chicken stuff, I've had mine for a week. But what I have figured is that they eat anything so I should imagine its quite normal! I didn't give mine a dust bath at all for the first 5 days when they were kept in the run and I don't think they need one available every day if it's causing hassle. They'll soon find a good dust bath when they are out and about.

[Mutrix Farmers]

My girls eat the dust bath, I think it's quite normal!

 

If you want to provide a dust bath in the run you may need something with very high sides. I tried the cat litter tray idea and it was empty before the day was out. Now they are free ranging at the end of everyday I don't bother with a bath in the run, as they have dug some lovely patches in the flowerbeds.