Chicken dusting?

[Mshine92]

Hi guys, new chicken mom here.i have two silkies babies- 4 months old. Just learned about dusting. I currently have on hand topsoil, sand from the beach of california, and diatomaceous earth food grade extra fine. How much of each if at all do I put into a tub and do I need to add anything else. I read about wood ash but I can't find it anywhere and don't have access to it. Any help would be the best. Thank you!

 

[Birdie mom]

Welcome to the BYC!

You don't really need a specific blend for them to be able to bathe. Normal sand or dust will work just fine, that's what mine use

 

[Folly's place]

Sandy dirt works just fine, and leave the DE out of the mix.
Mary

 

[MarkJr]

Mine prefer whatever soil the plants I really don't want to tear up, are planted in.

 

[Birdie mom]

Sandy dirt works just fine, and leave the DE out of the mix.
Mary

Yes. DE can be harmful to their respiratory tracts if they breathe too much in, that's why I don't use it in the baths, they breathe it in while bathing. I tried to put it directly into their feathers but it didn't do anything that I could see.

Whether you should use it is up for debate. It has never hurt my chickens, but I rarely use it.

 

[Folly's place]

I have 2" to 4" stones around the tree and shrubs next to the coop, so they aren't actually digging up their roots. Otherwise, the birds make dust baths where ever the mood strikes them.
Mary

 

[svh]

Make them a nice bathing area where you want them, and then they will ignore that spot, and go where you don't want them .....

 

[3KillerBs]

Just give them access to the dirt and they'll dig their own dustbaths.

 

[aart]

Any help would be the best.

Do they have soil in their run?
That should be fine.

 

[Mshine92]

No they just have sawdust