billathome65 Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Hi I am new to the forum. I have two chucks a White Sussex and a Black Rock which are kept at the moment in a run in the garden due to growing veg. Anyway, too the question. I have just bought a large container which is to be used as a dust bath for the chucks and was wondering if it is OK to fill with play sand or do I have to add soil from the garden which I would rather not if I don't need too? Thanks Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alet_chicken Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Hi Bill, welcome to the forum! Playsand should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Playsand is good. I also put in my old spent hanging baskets that I'd left hanging in the shed (Dunno why I left them with their compost in ) and they had great fun s"Ooops, word censored!"ping at the rootballs before settling down to a dustbath. I also put ash from our fire in there (No coal dust, just wood) and diatom so the girls can sort out any potential mite problem themselves. Of course, what they really prefer is to bathe in my delicate flower beds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Playsand or topsoil will be fine. Might be worth putting a sprinkling of diatomaceous earth in just in case. Don't use builders' sand - it is co"Ooops, word censored!" and contains chemicals. Hens like to eat sand as well as dustbathe in it, and builders' sand and sharp sand can give them upset tummies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I echo the previous answers and I also add to the play sand:- 1 ) at least 50 % nest bedding like aubiose(etc) to give it light,airy bulkiness, 2 ) definitely a few puffs of DE (diamotous earth for the control of mites/lice etc-its a perfect way for the girls to dose their feathers with the stuff and get those unwanted beasties away) 3 ) I mix a little bokashi in as its good bacteria helps combat bad bugs 4 ) and when I remember I even thoroughly mix in a drop or two of tea tree oil and lavender oil, both very pleasant on the nose, good at keeping insects away and mildly antiseptic. Mine actually dust bathe in a dip in the ground which I freshen up for them every other day or so. I adore watching them they seem to be in ecstacy - a joy to behold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billathome65 Posted May 10, 2011 Author Share Posted May 10, 2011 Hi thanks for the welcome and equaly for the advice I have mite stuff called Smite I'm assuming thats just as good? How much should I add and I like the idea of putting Tea Tree Oil in the sand to as for ash we only have a small garden which has a number of veg in at the moment that's why they are confined to the run so will have to wait to add wood ash. regards Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Hi Bill I've just looked it up on-line and yes Smite, if its the powder it is just that, DE (I have notice that some of these powders from pet stores etc are exactly that but cost so much more because of the packaging) it may be cheaper buying it as DE (keep the puffer bottle and just top up from a big tub). I finished my 500ml bottle in 2 months so bought a 2kg tub online for less than double the bottle. As well as dusting the inside of the eglu, I always put in 2-4 puffs into a bowlful of sand/bedding etc, mix it well (without inhaling any) and thats done the trick so far. Mine where riddled when they arrived and now they have a good bathe and are beautiful. I'm sure you will be treated to the sight of them loosing themselves in their bathing- its quite lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billathome65 Posted May 10, 2011 Author Share Posted May 10, 2011 Hi I got the Smite at the same time as the Chucks it's the powder stuff but have not used it yet as was a little unsure how best to do it. How much is the DE stuff by the way and where can I get it from? I am Currently feeding Layer Pellets and have grit hanging things. As I Have a dog and 3 ferrets too I tend to buy all the food on line from Dobson & Horrell as I get combined postage but it is always a good Idea to have a back up plan. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I really can't remember exactly which website but I think it only dealt with DE as there seem to be different grades even for human consumption to help with parasites and general digestive health I believe its like a brushing effect of you guts. I first used it on the hens (as directed) ie directly on the hens puffing a bit under the wings and in their skirts but to be honest I did overdo it as it has quite a drying effect on skin (thats how it kills the mites and worms if you add it to feed) and I was too liberal at first and they got slightly sore. Absolutely perfect for the dust bath with 2-4 puffs mived in. It can also be used on your other pets, either directly or /and on their bedding. It kills the unwanted beasties only if it gets onto them so you can't be too sparing either. An on-line merchant that I might get it from next time is GJW Titmuss Ltd as I get my dog food and chicken bedding from there with fee p&p. Their DE price is £30 for 5 kgs, which would last about 1-2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billathome65 Posted May 10, 2011 Author Share Posted May 10, 2011 Cheers thanks for the info. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
