Ash Bathing?

[jak2002003]

We had a bonfire several week ago. My chickens love to take a dust bath in the black ashes that are left where the fire was.

I was shocked when I first saw my beautiful white Bantams come out dark grey! However they seem to clean themselves back to white by the end of the day.

I wonder if there is something special about the bonfire ashes that is good for them? They have lots of dirt and sand to bath in also.. but they now only use the fire ashes.

 

[elch]

i heard that it repels mites

 

[jak2002003]

i heard that it repels mites

That is interesting. A couple of my chickens have a mild case of scaly leg mites.

Its amazing how they know how to take care of themselves.

 

[iwiw60]

That is interesting. A couple of my chickens have a mild case of scaly leg mites.

Its amazing how they know how to take care of themselves.

I'll be using a large oval galvanized tub of sorts and put wood ash and a little DE in it...chickens LUV to dust bathe...it's their way of cleaning up and getting rid of mites and lice...it's funny to watch them!

 

[aart]

We had a bonfire several week ago. My chickens love to take a dust bath in the black ashes that are left where the fire was.

I was shocked when I first saw my beautiful white Bantams come out dark grey! However they seem to clean themselves back to white by the end of the day.

I wonder if there is something special about the bonfire ashes that is good for them? They have lots of dirt and sand to bath in also.. but they now only use the fire ashes.

Don't be alarmed if they suddenly have pitch black poops....because they will eat some of the smaller cinders. Won't hurt them and it can help repel parasites.

 

[donrae]

I"ve also heard the ash repels creepy crawlies. All my woodstove ashes go in the coop or run in the winter.

It can make white or light colored birds look pretty interesting, though!