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What kind of sand for dirt baths

post #1 of 14
Thread Starter 

Does it matter what kind of sand I use to create a sandbox in my chicken pen for dirt baths?  Is beach sand too fine? Is ground stone dust too coarse?

post #2 of 14

I don't think I'd use the really fine sand, I'd be afraid they'd get the grit in their eyes.  I don't use sand at all.  I use dirt mixed with DE.  The girls seem to like it just fine...with the added bonus that it can go right into the compost pile.....

Tressa

Certified Chicken Addict! 23 Hens, 8 Roosters, a Standard Poodle & two AMAZING kids.....

Living the good life at Rocking Horse Ranch!

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Tressa

Certified Chicken Addict! 23 Hens, 8 Roosters, a Standard Poodle & two AMAZING kids.....

Living the good life at Rocking Horse Ranch!

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post #3 of 14

We just let our hens scratch around in the dirt and make their own dust spa. Chickens have been doing that for years without our help.

OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

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OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

All of our money is invested in T Bills.

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post #4 of 14
We use "washed sand".

NPIP Certified-115 Chickens (50 chicks), 13 Geese (12 gosling), 19 BR Turkeys (5 poults), 7 Rabbits, 60 Muscovy Duck, 29 Guineas (15 keets), 9 Peafowl, 8 Sheep, 1 Goat and pea, turkey and guinea eggs cooking in the incubator.
 

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NPIP Certified-115 Chickens (50 chicks), 13 Geese (12 gosling), 19 BR Turkeys (5 poults), 7 Rabbits, 60 Muscovy Duck, 29 Guineas (15 keets), 9 Peafowl, 8 Sheep, 1 Goat and pea, turkey and guinea eggs cooking in the incubator.
 

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post #5 of 14

I live here

oregon-sand-dunes.jpg

 

I just pull my truck up and load it up!  Free.

 

Dennis

Gentleman City Chicken Farmer

The Mother Cluckers - 2 Buff Orps, 2 Barred Rock, 1 Gold Laced Wyandotte

Central Oregon Coast
Academic Technology Sales

 

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Dennis

Gentleman City Chicken Farmer

The Mother Cluckers - 2 Buff Orps, 2 Barred Rock, 1 Gold Laced Wyandotte

Central Oregon Coast
Academic Technology Sales

 

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post #6 of 14

Our girls love the mulch pile.

1 Silkie, 2 Polish, 2 Americana, 1 Corgi, 1 Cairn terrier, 1 Cat
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1 Silkie, 2 Polish, 2 Americana, 1 Corgi, 1 Cairn terrier, 1 Cat
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post #7 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cargo View Post

Our girls love the mulch pile.

Mine are the same way! I have made them dust baths with top soil, sand, DE, etc, and they always go back to the mulch around my deck! roll.png

LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

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LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

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post #8 of 14

In the summer mine took over the shallow pits the dogs had scratched out to lie under the bushes.

Then they scratched out a few more under other favorite bushes.

This winter they attacked the flower box, filled with potting soil, and have emptied it about halfway.

Then they walk around with the white bits of perlite stuck on their feathers For some reason they

don't feel the need to shake off the dirt once they are done.

post #9 of 14

We have used playsand and hydrated lime powder for years with great results.  Our run is covered ,it stays nice and dry so there is no poopy odor. I just rake the sand every few days to turn under the poop. We use a mixture of roughly 10% lime to sand add more lime if its stinky. The girls love to dust bathe in it everyday.

 

Mr. Joy's Mom
www.mrjoy.net
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Mr. Joy's Mom
www.mrjoy.net
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post #10 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldGuy43 View Post

We just let our hens scratch around in the dirt and make their own dust spa. Chickens have been doing that for years without our help.



+1. My chickens have claimed three different spots for dust bathing -- under a shed and under two different trees. Didn't have to build anything. ;)

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