Heathers Hens Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Hello, just got our two lovely girls installed in their eglu, and would like to put a dust bath in the run for them but (and I know its going to sound really silly...) what exactly goes in the dust bath? Cant imagine its dust!!! Any help would be much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Tea Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Mine seem to just prefer dirt from the garden. I tried putting some lovely clean fresh play sand in the dustbaths the other week and they wouldn't go near them until I had stirred it all up and added lots more plain old dirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Mine haven't got a dust bath in their run as they are out of it quite a lot. But they have dug a couple in the borders and they just seem to like dirt. Although I do add red mite powder every now and again and they don't object. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Welcome ....I add a sprinkle of red mite dust to mine as well , and mine only like dirt....They wallow in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathers Hens Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 Thanks for the info, and the quick replies, this is only day 2 of chicken keeping so guess it's going to be a learning curve from now on, will get some good old dirt for the girls cheap too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 mine get the old playsand when I swap the sand in the sand pit - I then top it up with fresh sand from time to time...... I also add half a bag of potting soil (usually has dried up in the sac after Ive potted the veg) they seem to be happy enough with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 My OH singed my lawn when he was burning some clippings one night and it's the best mistake he ever made, the chooks use it all the time to dustbathe in - I don't think the grass will be coming back any time soon! I also add mite and lice powder to it once a week so that they self medicate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 I do half sand, half compost and a good squirt of diotomateous earth (diatom powder) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 mine get the old playsand when I swap the sand in the sand pit - I then top it up with fresh sand from time to time...... I also add half a bag of potting soil (usually has dried up in the sac after Ive potted the veg) they seem to be happy enough with it I forgot to mention I also add mite powder to the concoction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 John Innes No2 and Diatom for my Girlies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 I also made mine a dust bath using clean play sand in an old washing up bowl - nothing, no interest, just looked at me as though "If you think we're going near that.......". They are in a WIR on dirt so make their own baths, flinging it in the air and goes in their water but they like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashjc Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Mine have a wide low flower pot. I went on the hunt for some clayish time soil whilst out in the countryside..... I top it up regularly and also add diatom powder... they love it and my lawn is still intact so its doing its job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52fish Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Ours have a low, but wide plant pot, filled with play sand. Should warn that they go through a bag a week or thereabouts, but when you see them luxuriating in it, there's no doubt that its money well spent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
