Morfan Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 Hello I am another newbie to looking after chickens and have thoughly enjoyed reading and learning about the birds health and habits on this forum, as yet I have not purchased any birds as I am still clearing a patch of ground for their run, but I have started getting their first aid kit together thanks to this forums topics. What I would like to know a little bit more about their dust bath, is there anythink special about what makes up a dust bath or is it just very fine dry soil for them to play in, would sand do as well.any advice will be most appreciated. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 Hi there We made up a dust bath of a bag of kids sandpit sand, double the amount of compost and a big handful of diatom, they spend ages in the dust bath and seem to really enjoy it. I hope this helps X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenthelibrarian Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 I know some people provide plastic trays or tubs for dust-baths, with a mix of fine dry soil, clean sand etc. We did try an old cat-litter tray in our run but it soon got spilt and scattered. You might have better luck [or more intelligent hens, who recognise a bath when they see one] My girls FR and have a favourite spot in a sunny border where they wallow about in the dirt and sometimes snack on a tasty bug or nice crunchy gritty bits that their efforts turn up A little diatomaceous earth will kill bugs, clean the hens and is a good 'sprinkle' for runs on bark chip. I sling a little in where my chooks make their own baths. Don't buy 'branded' fancy plastic tubs of this, look out for the lowest price by the kilo online and keep in an airtight plastic box. And beware: any hen who has just enjoyed a thorough dust bath will be on the look-out for a friendly person in some nice clean clothes so she can do a lavish shake and scatter you generously with slightly poopy-smelling dirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morfan Posted July 13, 2013 Author Share Posted July 13, 2013 Many thanks for your replys so far, looks like I'm off to the car boots sales in the morning to see if I can find a decent size item to make the bath. I originally thought of a cat litter tray, but sounds like I need something stronger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 Hi again, we didn't bother with a container, we found a suitable area, with a bit of shade dug a whole added the mixture and off they went, having a great time x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 Mine ignored the containers I bought too, they found themselves a lovely area under some shrubs instead and ate my aubrietia from a lovely big plant pot and claimed that too, I just top it up occasionally with some compost. It never ceases to amaze me to see my white silkie a black mess only to look pristine a bit later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 I use a mix of play sand, compost and fire ash. As long as it is dusty and gritty they will have fun with it. After trying various containers, I am now using a hooded corner cat litter tray. It keeps all the dust contained and keeps it dry in bad weather when rain blows into the side of the run. Chickens love it and it is also impossible for them to tip it over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Mine have a large shallow trug with easichick and DE in it and also a square of my raised bed that was originally leeks but is now property of the chooks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
