Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[chestnutmare]

Can I put a little bit of soil in their sand dustbath? Will it harm them? My soil has 'bits' in it (to retain water, I think, and fertiliser) because it's for baskets and pots. Will this encourage them to dustbath?

I can cope with Snowy not looking like Snowy if it just gets them to realise they can dustbath in that litter tray rather than just walk around it!

Edited October 23, 2011 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Soil is what they would dustbathe in if you didn't give them a dustbath so I'd imagine it would be absolutely fine . I don't think they'll give two hoots (or should that be clucks!) what's actually in the soil .

[chestnutmare]

I just don't want to harm them with fertiliser or water retaining balls of stuff. Okay I'll chuck it in today then. Why won't they dustbath in the litter tray but they will when I put down fresh woodchip in the run?!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I suppose you should maybe watch to see if they show any interest in eating the balls? I don't know what they're made of!

[jackian]

My girls all have soil from my hanging baskets etc., They love it. I sprinkle red mite powder and santitizing powder on top.I think they also like the bugs that might be left in the soil. Sometimes they don't even bathe in it they just all squeeze in there and sit.

As for getting dirty they do , I never think they are going to get clean but they shake it off .They rummage in wood chips on the floor of their WIR run ..The craters look like they are on the moon ...But they are happy...

[chestnutmare]

Dustbath chickens, dustbath!!

 

I put the soil in the litter tray earlier and the're not bothered. They've looked at it with it interest, pecked it a bit and left it.

 

jackian your chickens are obviously more grateful than mine. Hm.

[Space Chick]

It'll be fine Give them time to realise the new excitement

 

It is frustrating though... OH spent ages making a new perch for WIR2 yesterday and the darlings have ignored it so far

[chestnutmare]

SC, they are very ungrateful, bad chickens! Hopefully they'll suss it out soon. Talking of perches - I have one in the garage that just needs painting now.

Finally, after trying different types of buckets and sand we have success! All it took was a bit of soil!

 

Video

[Plum]

Looks so satisfying, shame we can't roll around in the dirt.

[Chortle Chook]

Looks so satisfying, shame we can't roll around in the dirt.

I've always thought I'd like to lie on a supermarket floor and scream like a wee one. Now I know I ought to be rolling in the soil like a chicken (Oops - door bell - man in white coat outside )

[Space Chick]

Looks so satisfying, shame we can't roll around in the dirt.

I've always thought I'd like to lie on a supermarket floor and scream like a wee one. Now I know I ought to be rolling in the soil like a chicken (Oops - door bell - man in white coat outside )

 

You mean you don't Just me then