Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[CharLeila]

sorry, still learning.

 

How important is a dust bath for my girls? If it is, does anyone have any good ideas on what to use as a container and what to use for the dust. I know it sounds stupid but im sure I read someone saying they use compost.

[Space Chick]

I use a tub trug and a childs sand pit for the actual baths and a mix of bird sand, compost and diatom for the filling

 

Don't apologise for still learning thats what the forum is for

[Raina]

Hi,

 

i'm not sure how important it is but when i first got my girls i used a cat litter tray full of childs play sand from agros but they didn't use it, they just ate it.

 

I then filled it up with some topsoil, they took no notice of it and made their own dust bath

 

and they didn't use it that often,Only when it was a nice warm day

[Hen Watch]

All year round my lot have a supermarket cheap underbed storage box filled with dry earth. They love it especially now in Winter when the ground is soggy/hard/snowy. I pinch the dry earth out of hubbie's greenhouse

 

 

In summer they will make their own dustbaths in the garden.

 

[Couperwife]

we have a mini trubtrug (its purple - matches the cube ) we fill it with a combination of soil, ash from the fire, sand, DE and redmite powder (I think - kev does it )

 

they use it when they want to, or eat it with they want to, or just ignore it , I dont always see them bathing, I just see the "stuff" all over the floor and dusty chickens

 

cathy

x

[scubababe]

Hi all,

 

A bit more advise please

 

We've bought a cat litter tray.

 

Will that do for a dust bath?

Would a tubtrug be better?

 

I have some childrens sand, Diatom & wood ash to mix together.

 

Is childrens sand ok to use or do I need to buy special sand?

Does it matter what percentages of what we use?

Do I need it in this weather or should I wait until it's more comfortable for them?

 

Many thanxs again.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

When I put a cat little tray in they didn't use it . They make their own dustbaths in the run now.

 

Quantities don't matter, Scubababe . Just chuck a bit of anything you've got to hand in - children's sand is just fine!

[Plum]

I've used sand and compost in a washing up bowl that they love to dig in but they just dustbath in the run

[chick wiggle]

I use old car tyres for the big girls and a cheap (£1 from sainsburys) washing up bowl for the bantams. As they are in their WIR they cant really make their own at the moment. I put in play sand, dry compost (old or used is fine) and a handful of diatom. sometimes they use it, sometimes they dont

I think a few people use cat litter trays, so thats good too.

When the weathers fine, they of course make their own in the garden!