Chickens rolling in wet sand

[Owntalin]

Hey guys. So where it rained earlier a little of the sand got abit wet where it dropped down and they seem to be rolling in it! I know they roll in dirt baths etc to keep themselves clean, but can they do this in wet sand too? If so I will keep the sand pit abit wet to help them keep clean. Ty xxx

 

[ChickenCanoe]

IMO, they would prefer dust. But they'll take what they can get.
What is the temperature there? It may be cool in the sand.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

The water is not necessary to clean the chickens, but they do like playing in damp dirt or sand when it is hot outside. My chickens adore it when I dump the leftover water from their waterer into the run. They scratch through it and fight each other to get to the wet ground!

 

[Owntalin]

Ohh

The water is not necessary to clean the chickens, but they do like playing in damp dirt or sand when it is hot outside. My chickens adore it when I dump the leftover water from their waterer into the run. They scratch through it and fight each other to get to the wet ground!

Ooh OK ty very much. So it's OK to make it wet abit while it's hot? Helps to cool them down? Very interesting.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

Ohh

Ooh OK ty very much. So it's OK to make it wet abit while it's hot? Helps to cool them down? Very interesting.

Well, I wouldn't recommend soaking it, and if it is too wet it can cause respiratory issues, but if it is really hot outside, your chooks might enjoy it. Hope this helps!

 

[Owntalin]

IMO, they would prefer dust. But they'll take what they can get.
What is the temperature there? It may be cool in the sand.

Hot!! Ohhh so might need to get dust then? Dunno what dust to get I'm in the UK... Do u think a good pet store will have some? Any type we can't get?

 

[Owntalin]

Well, I wouldn't recommend soaking it, and if it is too wet it can cause respiratory issues, but if it is really hot outside, your chooks might enjoy it. Hope this helps!

Obviously not too wet! But great to know ty xxx

 

[lalalandchickens]

Am in the UK too I use a mix of all kinds for there dust bath the trick is just keep it dry. I use compost/soil fresh from B & Q and some building sand or play sand or even sand from the beach. I use the ashes from any bbqs or garden fires we have too.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hot!! Ohhh so might need to get dust then? Dunno what dust to get I'm in the UK... Do u think a good pet store will have some? Any type we can't get?

Wet when ambient air is hot and dry causes evaporative cooling.
It doesn't work so well when it is very humid.
I know it has been hot there but I can't imagine the UK being hotter than here.
It has been 35-38C for a good part of the summer but we have a temporary reprieve now. Some summers it can stay 40+ for weeks. It gets even hotter down south and out west.
If the ground is dry, they make their own dust baths. I can't imagine a pet store having something like that. If I need to make one because it has been too wet here, like now, I use plain dry soil, sand, wood ashes and agricultural lime. Don't use ashes from a barbecue because it may have fat drippings in it which will adhere to the feathers and possibly even attract parasites.

 

[chrissynemetz]

When it's hot out my chickens will all fight over a spot of wet dirt. They roll and scratch around in it like it's the most exciting thing they've ever seen