chickies ash bath

[dmjcfair]

Im new to chickens, Ive been reading about "ash baths", so I got in the fireplace and got some ashes and put it a flour sifter to make it finer and get chunks out. Ok heres the real question, my 10 chicks are 4 days old, I gave them an ash bath is it too soon? Im so worried about mites and fleas. I freak out if my dogs has a flea, I cant imagine what ill do with my new family members.
Thanks for any help.
Dawn

 

[cavemanrich]

I never encountered fleas in my chickens. There were fleas available from squirrels, opposums, skunks, as well a raccoons visiting. As for mites, well they are smaller lil devls and have seen chickens trying to pick them off their legs and such. They don't seem to suck blood out of the birds like fleas .. which do bite.. Dust baths are great but in my opinion. for slightly more mature birds. 4 day old chicks seem too soon to me. Consider providing dry potting soil as a dust bath medium. My chickens prefer it to most everything else..
WISHING YOU BEST AND

 

[ChicksAre4Kids]

I added a "dusting box" to the corner of my new coop that has plain old dirt and tiny pebbles as well as added FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth (available at local feed stores everywhere). DE kills most insects, internal and external, and is harmless to the birds, you and any other pets. It's great for worms in cats and dogs too, added in small amounts to their feed for a few days. Dusting pets kills fleas, dusting the living areas kills them off completely.

 

[67drake]

I never encountered fleas in my chickens. There were fleas available from squirrels, opposums, skunks, as well a raccoons visiting. As for mites, well they are smaller lil devls and have seen chickens trying to pick them off their legs and such. They don't seem to suck blood out of the birds like fleas .. which do bite.. Dust baths are great but in my opinion. for slightly more mature birds. 4 day old chicks seem too soon to me. Consider providing dry potting soil as a dust bath medium. My chickens prefer it to most everything else..
WISHING YOU BEST AND

Rich,,you raise chickens in Melrose Park? Whodathunk? I grew up in Maywood. Just seems cool that somebody would have them in that area.

Sorry,back to topic!