sleepymummy Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Our 2 hens - and have created a lovely dust bath for themselves but, obviously in this delightful weather we're having, it is now a muddy puddle. Am I supposed to give them something I have made now that theirs is wet? If so, how do I do this? Container? 'dust'? What do i use? Any tips gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I managed to get hold of a cat litter tray with sides (helpful as it keeps some of the 'dust' in)! I fill it with wood ash from our fire, but you could use dry compost (mine like sieved compost when we don't have any ash ) or a mixture of compost and play sand (not builders sand). I sprinkle in some red mite powder once a week too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Great, thanks. I feel awful as I don't think they've had a dust bath in ages. I'll get something together as soon as i can. I have a coal fire and no playsand left. I'll see what I can muster up with dry compost. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I use coal in my lounge fire too, and add that to the dust bath as well. I read that some coal ash added to the dust bath would deter scaley leg mite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEAN Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I made a dust bath in a cat litter tray with sand & wood ash but the huns don't seem to be interested. I haven't seen them dust bathe at all yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEAN Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Oops sorry I mean hens not huns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 That's ok Jean, You can call them huns if you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 My lot just get boring dry earth from hubbie's greenhouse put in an underbed storage box bought from Morrisons. Must keep it undercover and dry though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 I shall sort something out like that. Thanks for all the tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dora Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Mine have got one of those soft plastic shallow builders buckets its wide enough for them to have a good furtle ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 today i bought the first dust bath they cant tip over.....yet Its a fairly shallow wide based animal feed bucket/trug thing. Its quite heavy and has softish sides although I saw 2 girls standing on the sides earlier so not too flimsy, its made from recycled tyres.... .... its brilliant but cost nearly £9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Having tried bowls, trugs and any number of flower pots I now use an old butlers sink. Show me a chicken that can tip that over then!!!!! In fact I have two; sinks that is. One in the run and one under the Flyte so Fancy covered dust bath. Both I fill with ash from the fire. Sometimes just wood and sometimes a mixture of wood and coal. Whatever .... they love it, often emerging ghostly pale covered in ash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hmmm, I think I shall have to go shopping tomorrow! Can't think of anything I may have handy apart from a fireplace full of ash. What to put it in....I feel so awful for not providing anything I may have to give up my washing up bowl until i find something more suitable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Mine have a cat litter tray with compost, play sand, red mite powder & diatom in it. Well, I say 'in it'... As soon as they get in, they boot all the contents over the side! I think I need to get a different container- like the sound of this... today i bought the first dust bath they cant tip over.....yet Its a fairly shallow wide based animal feed bucket/trug thing. Its quite heavy and has softish sides although I saw 2 girls standing on the sides earlier so not too flimsy, its made from recycled tyres.... .... its brilliant but cost nearly £9 Where did you get it from, Miffy? I'm thinking it might be a little deeper than my tray... I'm going to add wood & coal ash today- I've resisted up until now- thought the coal dust was a no no... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 My hens ahve flatly refused to use the lovely dust bath I made for their new cube - they prefer to use the flowerbeds when they are out and about - do I need to insist and will they get used to it at times when they can't free range or are they ok with nothing at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Our girls have several dust baths dotted all over the garden. They have now started using an area under the climbing frame which is relatively dry. It will get more difficult as winter goes on but they are very clever at sorting themselves out. They were loving the sun today and spent ages just lying there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 12, 2008 Author Share Posted November 12, 2008 I gave them a coal/wood ash dust bath I cobbled together. hopped stright in but just scratched around in it pecking at it hoping for something tasty. they may have found something of their own around the garden but i doubt it. it's too small and too boggy. I'll dry out some compost and see if that's better as that is what they made for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Mine have a cat litter tray with compost, play sand, red mite powder & diatom in it. Well, I say 'in it'... As soon as they get in, they boot all the contents over the side! I think I need to get a different container- like the sound of this... today i bought the first dust bath they cant tip over.....yet Its a fairly shallow wide based animal feed bucket/trug thing. Its quite heavy and has softish sides although I saw 2 girls standing on the sides earlier so not too flimsy, its made from recycled tyres.... .... its brilliant but cost nearly £9 Where did you get it from, Miffy? I'm thinking it might be a little deeper than my tray... I'm going to add wood & coal ash today- I've resisted up until now- thought the coal dust was a no no... ooohhhh dear!!!!!!! i dont think I've done this right sorry. But I'm sure you get my meaning. I got the dust bath container from our local farmers supplier (Cornwall Farmers). As the label wouldnt come off I will see if there is a company name or something in the morning. They still havent tipped it but they have spread the soil around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Mine have a car tyre for a dustbath which is good as it curves in so most (!) of the contents stay in it. I wont even begin to relate how hard it was to get it through the run door (too impatient to remove end panel) They also like to play 'king of the castle' by standing on the edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I am soooo embarrassed Although I couldnt get the label off the girls have trashed it I'm afraid. On the side it looks like it says Kanguard, I ggogled it try.. http://www.foxsaddlery.com/categoriesold.php?mancarry=all&typecarry=42&c. hope this link works just tried the link doesnt work properly you need to put Kanguard in the search box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I am soooo embarrassed Although I couldnt get the label off the girls have trashed it I'm afraid. On the side it looks like it says Kanguard, I ggogled it try..http://www.foxsaddlery.com/categoriesold.php?mancarry=all&typecarry=42&c. hope this link works just tried the link doesnt work properly you need to put Kanguard in the search box Thanks for going to all that trouble Miffy! I found it on the website... I'm hoping that the Launceston branch of Cornwall Farmers stocks them- I'll go and have a look over the weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Got ours Threemilestone, Truro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 OH didn`t seem very excited when I told him but I am sure that you will appreciate why I am happy and excited. I found my ladies dust bathing in the garden under the hedge today!!!!!! This is the first dust bath that they have had (i think)!!!!! They have a large plant pot in their run with sand and compost and a litter tray with the same under the patio table but all they seem to do to them is eat the contents rather than get in!!! Gin, bless her was getting filthy so hopfully some of the much should come off now!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 I use coal in my lounge fire too, and add that to the dust bath as well. I read that some coal ash added to the dust bath would deter scaley leg mite I've used the soil from mole hills up to the wet weather - but obviously it's all mud now! I didn't realise that coal ash was OK - we use coal and wood on our fire, and there is masses of it - so I'll use that now. Thanks Christian! J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 My girls have made some favourite holes in the ground under the hedge where they luuuurve to dustbathe. It always seems to stays dry under there and they happily spend a good hour getting dust under each feather. I was so happy the first day my girls did it in my garden, so I can totally understand how excited you are . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
