*What's the BEST Dust Bath Mixture?

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Messipaw

Messipaw

Songster
6 Years
Apr 3, 2013
495
28
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Hi
Just wondering what the best dust bath mixture is.
I feel like I tried everything. My girls are clean (no buggies.. Thank the Lord) I'm just trying to avoid any potential mites/lice issues.
Currently I have a little Tykes Kids Playhouse filled with peat moss, DE, sand and ash. It doesn't seem like they use it. It looks like the DB under their coop. So I've been tossing some ash and DE under there as well.
I'm wondering why they don't use anything I've made for them? Any suggestions?
 
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Mine just use the desert but play sand, construction sand or even beach sand. During the colonial days farmers only had sand in the winter coops and the flock would figure it out on their own during grazing seasons.(just some history from as book written in the 1600's) Many with sand boxes periodicly add D.E. as a natural dewormer.
 
ChickenCurt said:
Mine just use the desert but play sand, construction sand or even beach sand. During the colonial days farmers only had sand in the winter coops and the flock would figure it out on their own during grazing seasons.(just some history from as book written in the 1600's) Many with sand boxes periodicly add D.E. as a natural dewormer.
Click to expand...
Makes sense right? I've tried all that and they never go in what i make for them, Its very frustrating!
 
I feel good old fashioned dirt is the way to go, and they might even enjoy sand. I gave my chickens sand and all they did was fling it all over the run. They also might not like to feel enclosed with the playhouse. My chickens love to dig massive moon craters right where the sun light hits the ground, it looks like they're trying to get a tan! I don't think you really need to worry about mites and lice. Just keep your coop and run very clean! Hope I was somewhat helpful!
 
I don't do anything special, mine just take plain 'ole dirt baths. In the summer it's any warm sunny spot they decide to flop down, in winter they go into the barn and dig craters in the floor. Never have had lice or mites.
 
Maybe it is because it is covered. I'll try an opened dust bath area for them. I thought a covered are would be good because they could use it in the rain and snow.
 
I would maybe make a sand box or give them a separate area for them to use if your going to make a dust bath mix, or they'll just toss it all over the run. In bad weather my chickens tend to stay inside the coop and use the shavings, or they go under the coop and dig holes. You could even buy clear plastic corrugated roofing and use it to keep mother nature out of the dust bathing area, but let the sunshine come through!
 
I don't have a dust bath mixture. My chickens just find a nice sunny spot with clean and dry dirt or sand. Just keep it simple, you really don't need to do anything. The chickens will find a good spot.
 
I also don't do anything special. In the summer, the just pick a sunny spot. I think they give each other bonus points if I twist my ankle in a spot, though
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In the winter, it's spa time in the coop. I use deep liter and they flop and flail around in it. Again, usually right in front of the door, for maximum ankle twisting potential!

I do dump the ashes from the wood stove for them, sometimes in the coop but I like to put them in the run if it's dry enough--I don't think a little dust hurts them, but I don't want to dump it all inside.
 

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