ClaudetteDay Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I was thinking chinchilla sand? and is it safe to add some diatomceous earth to kill the mites? or should i rub this on the hens with my hands? i'm just worried it will go in their eyes and irritate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macfoy Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Red mites don't live on the chickens, but in cracks and under perch rests in the house. Actually it's not quite right to say that as I have seen mites on chickens, but usually when the chicken was about to pop her clogs. So no point in putting mite powder in the dust bath. You just want sand or similar. I don't know what chincilla sand is apart from the fact that it sounds expensive when builders sand will do quite nicely, but then I'm a cheap skate Most louse powders these days are deterrents not killers so I don't think much to them so I don't think you need anything in it. Lice on chickens does happen, but it's better to treat the individual if you have a problem. Macfoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudetteDay Posted December 8, 2009 Author Share Posted December 8, 2009 thanks for the reply. chinchilla sand is pretty cheap. it's what chinchilla's use to bathe themselves in. many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 My girls use ordinary soil, as they have a large covered part to their run, and the soil stays fairly dry under there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Ours just have a shallowish wooden barrel containing soil. I do occasionally sprinkle a bit of redmite powder in (if I ever remember ) They like rolling around in it as a dustbath, but the rim is also a well-used perch. skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I used a Cat Litter tray Filled with 50% Kiddie Sand from Argos (under £3 for a very large bag) and 50% soil i had to take it out though cuz they started to eat alot of it. They did dig themselves a patch on the garden but they would roll in it just after it had rained i did get told off a couple of times though cuz i dug small holes on the garden to get the soil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Purple shallow tubtrug to match my filled with multi purpose compost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudetteDay Posted December 8, 2009 Author Share Posted December 8, 2009 brilliant thanks everyone. i'll probably look around and see what's cheapest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Hello I use a cat litter tray fdilled with dry earth from under my hedge, its free, plentiful and my girls love it xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I use a shallow trug that I got from a horse feed supplies shop. I put in 50% sand (using bird sand at the moment but will switch to kiddy sand) and 50% dry compost from the heap. They seem to like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 My girls have to make their own at the moment as the cat litterbox of compost/sand/fireplace ash got soaked and has not been returned. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I use old car tyres filled with soil and wood ash, I add DE powder as and when I remember! The chickens use the edge of the tyres to perch on too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I've got a shallow trug and put playsand and topsoil in it. Having said that its nearly empty as they have kicked everything out and use it for sitting in. They dig holes in the run when they want to dustbathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I use a large, shallow tubtrug (purple, obviously) filled with a mix of potting compost and sand. I also sprinkle it with stalosan and DE. It took them a while to work out what it was for, but they love it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I use used car tyres and a small washing up bowl for the bantams. I use 50/50 playsand and compost and I do add diatom because i believe every little deterrent helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudetteDay Posted December 8, 2009 Author Share Posted December 8, 2009 thanks all very helpful!! i know my mum is an enthusiastic gardener, so i'm sure she'll have something kicking about that i can use but we also have a local argos! so i'll buy some kiddies sand many thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Red mites don't live on the chickens, but in cracks and under perch rests in the house. Actually it's not quite right to say that as I have seen mites on chickens, but usually when the chicken was about to pop her clogs. So no point in putting mite powder in the dust bath.Most louse powders these days are deterrents not killers so I don't think much to them so I don't think you need anything in it. Lice on chickens does happen, but it's better to treat the individual if you have a problem. Macfoy Wild birds will be carry lice and mites of some description, so any precautionary stuff in the dust bath will help. there are a fair few organic r natural options out there now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 My girls have an old enamelled wash bowl filled with soil, wood ash and either Diatom or red mite powder, the latter two are purely as a preventative against lice and not a substitute for regularly checking and treating your hens. They do make me laugh when they syand on the edge and shake all the dust out from their feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudetteDay Posted December 9, 2009 Author Share Posted December 9, 2009 i'll probably use some soil and sand from argos many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Of course you need to be prepared for them to completely ignore the dust bath provided and dig a hole somewhere else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudetteDay Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 Of course you need to be prepared for them to completely ignore the dust bath provided and dig a hole somewhere else! yes, i have been worrying about that. i'm worried that my mum and dad will moan. i haven't quite told them the chickens will make a mess of the garden.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
