Adding poultry dust to dust bath?

[NHMountainMan]

I'm a newbie, but did read about this with interest as we have a lot of wood ash (some pine, but mostly hardwood) from our wood stove and maple sap evaporator. So if our chickens have 2 or 3 spots around the yard where they do their dust bath, do I add the ash to all of them? How much do I add?
Thanks!

I use a small kitty litter liner filled up about half way- maybe 3” deep. They prefer the ash to any hole they’ve dug. Some claim the ash prevents mites. I couldn’t say- I’m a newb too- and no mite problems yet. Good luck!

 

[cmom]

I'm a newbie, but did read about this with interest as we have a lot of wood ash (some pine, but mostly hardwood) from our wood stove and maple sap evaporator. So if our chickens have 2 or 3 spots around the yard where they do their dust bath, do I add the ash to all of them? How much do I add?
Thanks!

When I was a child 70 years ago. We made maple syrup too. We also used wood for the evaporator. That brought back some memories. I don't use wood ash I use permethrin dust for the birds dust bathing. Our wood ashes go into the compost. The birds don't have many special spots but do get under rain/shade tables I made for the pens and usually dust bathe under the tables so I sprinkle some dust under them. I have had mites.

 

[CaptainSamH]

When I was a child 70 years ago. We made maple syrup too. We also used wood for the evaporator. That brought back some memories. I don't use wood ash I use permethrin dust for the birds dust bathing. Our wood ashes go into the compost. The birds don't have many special spots but do get under rain/shade tables I made for the pens and usually dust bathe under the tables so I sprinkle some dust under them. I have had mites.

We put the ash in the compost too . So did the permethrin dust help with the mites (I don't know that we have them, but I certainly favor prevention...)? And it sounds like I should add some kind of dust bath zone inside to my "winterizing" list (the weather has gotten chilly fast around here...).

 

[cmom]

It worked for me. Last year I had a severe infestation and thought the birds were molting but when they didn't seem to be getting their feathers back I investigated further and found they were covered with mites. ASAP I sprayed the inside of their coop thoroughly. I sprayed the birds and some gave baths to. It helped but I used flea shampoo so it didn't get rid of them all but helped. If I ever need to bathe them again I will use the OTC shampoos for head lice. Nix has permethrin it. Since I have noticed mites a couple of times and treated again ASAP and thoroughly. I had been spraying inside the coops good and putting the dust in the nest boxes and there is no egg withdrawal period. I got lax and I noticed some mites in another coop. When I spray I spray the inside of all of the coops as a preventative. I have several coops. Since recently I had a a couple of birds in a coop that had a few on them I'm again on my weekly spraying regimen. Here it's mostly in the summer. We are finally going to get some cooler weather. It's been in the 80"s during the day here. I don't know why but last year was the first time any of the birds had mites. First I noticed the birds in one coop then I noticed more in a second coop. Not taking any chances anymore so now I spray all of the coops even if I fine mites in only one coop. Soon I'll be moving birds around getting ready for the breeding season. I don't want to move mites with them.

 

[aart]

I don't use wood ash I use permethrin dust for the birds dust bathing.

But you live in FLA where bugs never die(why I left there)
IMO permethrin should be saved for when it is needed up here,
putting it in dust bath could create resistance.

 

[cmom]

But you live in FLA where bugs never die(why I left there)
IMO permethrin should be saved for when it is needed up here,
putting it in dust bath could create resistance.

I was born in Michigan and moved to Florida when I was young. You were from Florida and moved to Michigan. Originally from Traverse City.

 

[cmom]

I take timeout periods. I don't want the pest to get a resistance either.

 

[aart]

You were from Florida and moved to Michigan.

Nope, I was born in MI, lived in FL for about 9 months and could not wait to get back up here.

 

[feathermaid]

Guy did a test here....burned some softwood and some hardwood separately,
and put them in separate dust baths.....birds chose the hardwood, wouldn't touch the softwood. Might have been something about different acidities too. CRS.

That's really interesting, thanks for sharing. It's impossible to read everything on this site!

Nope, I was born in MI, lived in FL for about 9 months and could not wait to get back up here.

Hilarious. I was born in Iowa and moved to Oregon when I was young. Decided Nashville would be a good change of scenery but couldn't wait to leave that place! Only lasted 10 months down there in that horrible humidity with spiders and snakes.