How to set up a chicken dust bath

[NinjaGamer2022]

I am reading up on mites and things and have learned that it makes a LOT of sense to set up a chicken dust bath and add stuff like DE. But my questions are:
1. How big should the dust bath be?
2. Other than DE should I put anything else in their dust bath to prevent pests and keep it healthy?
3. How much DE should I put in the dust bath?
4. Can the dust bath be just sand with stuff like DE or should I also add things like wood ash?
5. Is their anything else about this I should do or know about?

Thank you.

 

[Kanekoded]

My sand box is 3'x4.5' frame made from 2x8 boards screwed together. I add .4 cubic foot of DE/ash mix (equal parts) to every 1 cubic foot of sand. I also like to toss in a 1/2 cup of ground clove as it acts as a natural mite repellent - and it makes the chicken smell delicious!

I add a sand box for every 12-15 chickens. Adding extra boxes to accommodate the flock size helps to keep my chickens from digging holes all over the run.

 

[Miami Leghorn]

As a rookie, I will suggest this.
1x8 boards cut and nailed into a square shape. Filled with play sand and DE.--- @Overo Mare
My Dominiques, Silkies, and Wyandottes love it. My Leghorns and Ameraucanas prefer to make their own dust piles somewhere else.

Edit:
Jeez I almost forgot.. a bit of Sevin dust. It works in my parrot nest boxes,keeps the ants and mites away. I figured I'd try it in the dust boxes as well.

 

[JedJackson]

I've used old truck tires before. Just fill up the middle. Wood ash is a good ingredient to add. It dries up and desiccates pests. I actually would not add DE or peat moss because of potentially harmful consequences from inhaling the dust.

 

[3KillerBs]

I let my birds dig their own dust baths wherever they want to do it (coop is dirt-floored and run has several sheltered areas).

DE is a respiratory irritant. I don't think it belongs in contact with chickens' delicate respiratory system.

 

[WI chickens]

I just use sand.

My sand box is 3'x4.5' frame made from 2x8 boards screwed together. I add .4 cubic foot of DE/ash mix (equal parts) to every 1 cubic foot of sand. I also like to toss in a 1/2 cup of ground clove as it acts as a natural mite repellent - and it makes the chicken smell delicious!

I add a sand box for every 12-15 chickens. Adding extra boxes to accommodate the flock size helps to keep my chickens from digging holes all over the run.

I like the clove idea a lot.

 

[NestingMillenial]

What about replacing DE or pyrethroids by sulfur in dust baths? I am looking into the same thing right now and was planning on doing just that.

 

[Kanekoded]

What about replacing DE or pyrethroids by sulfur in dust baths? I am looking into the same thing right now and was planning on doing just that.

I've tried using sulfer in the past...but just couldn't get past the smell. Peeeeeeeyewwwwwww!!

 

[NestingMillenial]

What you don't like rotten eggs and cloves?

I would like to try it but I might come to the same conclusion as you ^^ How much did you use when you did use it?

 

[Kanekoded]

What you don't like rotten eggs and cloves?

I would mike to try it but I might comz to the same conclusion as you ^^ How much did you use when you did use it?

Nothing like walking into the run and wondering who just passed a whole lotta gas! I used it in place of the ash. Equal parts of DE & sulfur.