Shmoe & Rich Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Hi All We just got our first Eglu and chickens today, Pete & Dud! It has been a great first day, but we are a bit confused about what we should do about a dust bath - please can you offer some advice? Thanks Jo & Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Hooray - well done you! (and welcome!) If you have put your Eglu on bare ground/grass the chickens will make their own dust bath by digging a dip in the ground, down to Australia in some cases Some people use cat litter trays or wooden boxes but whatever you use the contents wont stay in it for long! I use an old car tyre with some Aubiose in the bottom of it with a mixture of compost and wood ashes on top, I think some people use dry soft sand too. If you have nothing at all simply use dirt from the garden - just try and keep it dry though! Congratulations on your chickens - they are the best pets ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Mine actually made one on a mound of damp earth today. Consequently, their feathers were so caked in soil they could hardly move!!!!! They did enjoy it though they seem to go into a trance, it can be quite unnerving to see them the first time. When my girls first did it I looked out of the window and thougtht they were both dead!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I agree with Jill - they resemble road kill, especially when they are virtually laying on their backs (one of mine does). Afterwards stand well back because they fluff themselves and a cloud of dust/louse powder/Diatom surrounds them and anything close - including me, I was coughing for ages as I had been sitting on a bench watching them. Our dust bath is in an old turtle sandpit which is covered on yukky days with black plastic sheeting weighed down with rocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmer06 Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Hi, all our chickens did was perch on the side of the tub so we are goin to try again when its not so cold and wet to see if they use it then. So in the mean time we put it to good use! They seem to enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoe & Rich Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 Thanks so much everyone They have been digging holes, so I suspect this is the "australian" dust bath! Can't wait for the weekend so i can actually spend time with them! I must sound like a right saddo! Do any of you let them in to watch TV? I heard they quite like that!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Mine sometimes stand on their preening step outside the French windows and watch it - they like car chases it appears, or football, but a particular favourite (????) is the Iceland advert - they all look at that one and don't stop until it is over. Since the Christmas tree is by the window they haven't been standing there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Thanks so much everyone They have been digging holes, so I suspect this is the "australian" dust bath! That'll be it - you can add some wood ash if you have any as they like this too. Can't wait for the weekend so i can actually spend time with them! I must sound like a right saddo! Not a saddo - you are just like all of us Do any of you let them in to watch TV? I heard they quite like that!!!! Never heard of that one - I prefer to watch Hen TV myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
