L Gibson Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 What do you guys do for a dust bath? I've got my new Eglu and my chicks have settled in nicely (11 weeks old) but in all of the info I've got from Omlet there's no mention of a dust bath and I know that hens need it to control mites etc. Thing is the Eglu run is relatively small so do you have a fixed one somewhere in the garden that they can visit when they're roaming or do you put some sand/dust in a litter tray and leave that in periodically??? I just don't know what to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeymerKim Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 Hi - I've got a plant trough and a large plant pot, both with a mixture of earth, compost and play sand with a bit of Red Mite Powder thrown in and the girlies love it. If their run is on earth or if they are allowed to free range, they will make their own arrangements by scratching around and then flapping and rolling on their sides and flicking earth all over themselves - it's great to watch. I tried a pot with just play sand in, but they ate it all!!! Just make sure it is somewhere dry and they will use what you give them - or they will just make their own arrangements. Let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 we did do a cat litter tray with playsand in and they ate it they make their own little dustbaths in the borders around the garden now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangers Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 Same here, made the nicest dustbath out of a cat litter tray,they ate it and emptied it, they prefer to do it under the conifers, just got to catch them before they go in it next time and lace it with red mite powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classy Chick Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 Just read all of your replies about dust baths - great help so thanks for all the tips! If I get a litter tray with compost, earth, sand and red mite powder, what sort of quantities of each? More earth than sand, more compost than earth? Does it matter? And how much red mite powder? Am still waiting for that to arrive. Thanks for your help in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 I use a shallow tubtrug and just playsand with a sprinkling of diatom and red mite powder. It doesnt really matter what quantities of earth to sand or soil you use - they'll love it anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L Gibson Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 Thanks everyone - this was my first posting so I'm glad it got a reply!! I guess I'm worrying a little too much but whilst I have them confined to their run I'll feel happier if they have an option as there is no chance of them finding anything loose enough to bathe in. I won't feel too silly now when I provide them with a litter tray of dirt! Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 Hi. First week my chooks arrived they were confined to the eglu run and I didn't give dust bathing a thought. When I let them out in the garden, it took them a few days and then they made a dust bath. They did this every few days or so. They don't have a dust bath in their run as they prefer their favourite spot under the apple tree (where the mud is realatively dry). Now they are more established (or maybe have their own routine now), they dust bathe every day. Not sure what will happen in Winter though as I've only had them 4 months so I guess I'll put something in their run then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
