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[alligg]

I'd like to put a dust bath in the run for my hens when they carnt come out,someone suggested using a cat litter tray but do I use garden soil or sand or a mixture or something else.also my coop is wooden with a living area and seperate nesting box,do I put paper or something in the living section to catch the droppings.is straw ok in nest box?

thanks

Alli

Edited July 3, 2009 by Guest

[Mutrix Farmers]

I tried this and they just tip it up and eat it.

 

You can use garden soil (after all they dig up the garden to create their own), play sand, potting compost. Don't use sand from the beach (it's illegal and has too much salt in it) or builders sand which could burn their skin. I mix diatom in with it, particularly if I use garden soil, just to kill off any nasty bugs.

[alligg]

thanks,where do I get diatom from

[Falkor]

The omlet shop sells diatom.....I have found it on ebay, online at Flytesofancy and also at my local agicultural store

 

I gave up on the cat litter tray as as stated above they tip it over. I now use a large shallow tub trug....it is big enough for three of them to have a dustbath party and they can`t tip it over

[alligg]

thanks for that,I will get some ordered and then I will have it to hand.i'm getting really excited now,i'm sat waiting for coop to be delivered then I can go out and get some supplies.we are going to outgate poultry tomorrow to pick some hens.my partner really suprised me by agreeing to have chickens and now he's really getting into it.I just hope it all goes ok collecting them tomorrow.