whitebarrow Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Hi all, I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first chickens (2/3/07!) and am trying to get prepared. Having read that they require a dust bath if they are not free-ranging i'm now at a loss as to where to find the materials. I've read that they require fine wood ash or dry powdery earth. Can anyone recommend places to find this stuff in East Anglia? Many thanks! Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Mine use an old washing up bowl with holes drilled in the bottom. Part fill it with either earth from your garden, potting compost or a mixture of one of these with some ash from a fire. Dustbathing helps to stop them getting mites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 (edited) we use play sand in a cat litter tray Edited February 19, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Mine dig their own... frequently...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 My garden is too wet for them to do that at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I discovered that mine were using a dusty patch down the side of the house, but it was full of builders rubble and glass ( ) that I didn't know was there until they dug it up. I cleared out all the rubble, added some sand and some red mite powder - and they haven't used it since Now they've dug out a fairly dry and sheltered part of the flower bed where my irises are trying to grow. They completely ignored a bowl of sand in their run. (other than to eat it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I've made all sorts of elaborate dust baths for mine, using sand pit sand, compost, bag of fresh top soil, ashes from the fireplace and they don't want to know. The would much rather dig a hole themselves and pile in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 My garden is all decking and concrete so I bought a big square plant container (the resin ones that look like real stone) and throw in sand mixed with red mite powder or diatom - they love it but it gets VERY messy, especially when they decide to shake all the sand back out - sometimes I could do with full breathing apparatus if I'm sat in the garden with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 My two have a cat litter tray with sand in it......or they dig a hole in the bark chippings and have a mud bath instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matter Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 mine go mad for a pot with half sand,half ash http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t96/matter7/?action=view¤t=CIMG1423.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitebarrow Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all their advice. I got my first chickens today, and had their bath ready for them. They gathered round and looked at it as though it was the strangest thing they'd ever seen and in the end they seemed to think it was a very nice place to sleep. (Photos on my gallery). Currently just sand, mixed with topsoil and red-mite powder in a large flower pot but i've asked a friend with an open fire to save some wood ash for me - maybe that will entice them to bathe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Congratulations Debbie!! You'll have a fab time with your girls and get nothing else done Any questions, just ask on here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 What gorgeous chickens Debbie, congratulations on their arrival - hope they lay you some lovely eggs soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Enjoy your new hens, they look fab and really perky! Be warned, get a comfy chair and a flask, you're going to want to sit and watch them all day!! As for the dustbathing, mine dig holes in the garden, where it's quite dry under a hedge, but as I'm about to build them a bigger enclosed run, I'm going to try out the cat litter tray idea with some sand in it. I'll let you know how I get on!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Congratulations Debbie! You girls look lovely! The Whitestar is just so sweet! I used to live in St. Neots (parents still do)... there's a couple of forum members from there now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 So glad your girls have settled in and they are keeping you entertained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
