dust bath filler what do you use?

[nakstk]

I just bought my pullets a container to use as a dust bath. I have DE but that's about it. We don't have a fire place to get ash from and living in Washington makes for wet mud not dirt. I was going to buy some potting soil but I wasn't sure about the fertilizers in it. I don't want to poison my girls. I was wondering if I could use Pete Moss or should I just go to the river and get some and and dry it out?

 

[chickenbaguette]

Just get some mud, spread it out on a tray and dry it out xD Mix it with sand too, if you have some. Remember potting soil is purposefully wet in the sacks anyway, so that won't help much.

 

[GAchick]

play sand (for kiddie sand boxes) would work. Fairly cheap, too.

 

[chickenbaguette]

Better to add some earth, though, and the DE will be good in it

 

[nakstk]

thanks! right now I think they are using the nest box as a dual purpose nest box/dust bath.

 

[fishnet1971]

is potting soil ok to use once it dries out? I was told it had stuff in it that they would eat that was not good for them.

 

[Renee']

Quote:
I second this suggestion. It works great, comes in a bag for easy storage, and it's cheap!

 

[fishnet1971]

i used that last year, but i got the contractors sand - it has more grit that they like to eat when they can't get outside.

 

[chickenbaguette]

is potting soil ok to use once it dries out? I was told it had stuff in it that they would eat that was not good for them.

Potting soil is fine. They don't really eat or consume anything out of their dustbath