Can I use coconut flour in the dust bath?

[Ann With A Plan]

Hi,

I wasn't sure where this subject belonged. I'm out of D.E., so I figured I would use soil and wood ash from a fire pit. I was given a bag of coconut flour awhile back that was old and wondered if it would work in the dust bath along with the other stuff?

Thanks,
Ann

 

[Isaac 0]

Dry Dirt is best, DE and Flour are pretty light, I would be concerned about the respiratory inhalation of the dust.

 

[aart]

Just plain dirt is fine...
...as long as they have access to ground that is not clay or rock, they'll figure it out.
No need for any additives, especially flour.....
only bread the chickens right before frying them.

 

[Ann With A Plan]

Just plain dirt is fine...
...as long as they have access to ground that is not clay or rock, they'll figure it out.
No need for any additives, especially flour.....
only bread the chickens right before frying them.

LOL
We have the red clay here.
P.S. Glad you had that ventilation link in your sig. Went there and learned from it. Thanks.

 

[Ann With A Plan]

Dry Dirt is best, DE and Flour are pretty light, I would be concerned about the respiratory inhalation of the dust.

From what I've read, it's good for mites and such, but in small amounts. I may just save the old flour for my worm bin. Thanks.

 

[Isaac 0]

From what I've read, it's good for mites and such, but in small amounts. I may just save the old flour for my worm bin. Thanks.

Yeah, not sure if your referring to the DE or Flour, but neither is going to do little to anything when you have an external parasite infection. They may help slightly, but when you have an infestation you want something that is powerful in one/two dose, that's why I use Permethrin based products, especially the sprays which last forever and are easy to apply compared to powder products.

 

[aart]

Yeah, not sure if your referring to the DE or Flour, but neither is going to do little to anything when you have an external parasite infection. They may help slightly, but when you have an infestation you want something that is powerful in one/two dose, that's why I use Permethrin based products, especially the sprays which last forever and are easy to apply compared to powder products.

Ditto Dat!!

Have some permethrin spray and/or dust on hand in case you find bugs when you do their regular.....
Bug Check:
Examine your birds regularly and real well for mites and/or lice.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[Ann With A Plan]

Ditto Dat!!

Have some permethrin spray and/or dust on hand in case you find bugs when you do their regular.....
Bug Check:
Examine your birds regularly and real well for mites and/or lice.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

 

[McBIRDBRAIN77]

Hi,

I wasn't sure where this subject belonged. I'm out of D.E., so I figured I would use soil and wood ash from a fire pit. I was given a bag of coconut flour awhile back that was old and wondered if it would work in the dust bath along with the other stuff?

Thanks,
Ann

It is antiparasitic & many cultures use the flour & oils to kill lice.

 

[RoyalChick]

I am on red clay soil - it is great for bathing in as long as it is dry. When it is wet it sets like concrete and it is harder to dig, but when it is dry they love it.
I have a roof over part of their territory and so the clay stays dry and they have dug some nice deep holes for bathing.
I would say though that it creates very fine dust that settles everywhere!