Can wood ash, previously wet, be used?

[Chickengirl209]

Hi all,
We've recently come across a mite issue, which everyone knows is super fun. (Not)
I've read that I can use wood ash in the dirt baths as long as it stays dry.
We do have wood ash, but it is from our campfire spot. This spot gets rained on. The wood ash is CURRENTLY dry, but it was rained on many times. Would this affect anything?

 

[thecatumbrella]

That's a good question. To my knowledge, wood ash is inorganic, so nothing questionable should be growing in it (even if it's been wet). I'd use it. The chickens will probably make it grosser than some rain could.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Lye is made from rain water that is filtered through wood ash, and is used in the soap-making process. It's highly caustic. So if your dust bath gets rained on, your chickens may avoid it afterward.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

If you use the ash, use much more dirt than you use ash to offset the acidic properties. My birds won't use it if it is super dry because it is a respiratory issue, so I have to wet it down lightly. What's to note is I use a 4:1 ash to dirt ratio.

 

[Chickengirl209]

Thanks!