Contractor sand for dust bath

[Rick&Chris]

I have contractor sand for my three week old chicks dust bathing. Do I need to do anything to prepare the sand and do I have to add DE or dirt?

 

[azygous]

If your sand is coarse and very heavy, you can add dry soil to it or peat moss or simply use dry soil as the dirt bath medium or plain peat moss. Peat moss makes an excellent dirt bath for baby chicks since it's light and fluffy and they can really toss it around with total abandon.

It will increase the amount of dust that becomes airborn, and if the chicks are in your house, you might want to hold off until you can move them outside.

 

[Rick&Chris]

If your sand is coarse and very heavy, you can add dry soil to it or peat moss or simply use dry soil as the dirt bath medium or plain peat moss. Peat moss makes an excellent dirt bath for baby chicks since it's light and fluffy and they can really toss it around with total abandon.

It will increase the amount of dust that becomes airborn, and if the chicks are in your house, you might want to hold off until you can move them outside.

I have them in a coop (6’x6’). I bought contractor sand at Lowe’s. It doesn’t seem too coarse. I can add peet moss to it. Dust is not an issue.

Is there a benefit to start now - or should I wait until they start to go outside?

 

[snow5164]

I’d let them try it!
There is nothing cuter then chicks flailing around in the dust

It’s instinct for them to do it ,
And better then tv to watch

 

[aart]

do I have to add DE

Don't bother with the DE...not great for them to breathe and there's really no benefit.

 

[Rick&Chris]

Don't bother with the DE...not great for them to breathe and there's really no benefit.

Just sand?

 

[aart]

Just sand?

Dirt and/or a chunk of sod from near the chicken yard is what I use at about one week in the brooder.

How long have they been in the coop?
They are about 3 weeks old IIRC...let them go outside into their run.
Dig up a chunk of sod to help them get a hole started.

 

[Kiki]

Take a shovel to your yard...get them some dirt to play in now too.

 

[Rick&Chris]

Dirt and/or a chunk of sod from near the chicken yard is what I use at about one week in the brooder.

How long have they been in the coop?
They are about 3 weeks old IIRC...let them go outside into their run.
Dig up a chunk of sod to help them get a hole started.

They’ve been out there for a week. It’s chilly during the day - in the 50s. I thought that would be too cold for them to go outside??

 

[aart]

They’ve been out there for a week. It’s chilly during the day - in the 50s. I thought that would be too cold for them to go outside??

Yeah, could be risky....set up some wind blocks in sun and shade.
Are you around all day or work all day?