dust bath materials

[PAJerry]

I have a 4 X 4 sand pit in the run but over the winter, I put cool wood ashes from the stove out there and the hens loved them. I read that this keeps the parasites down. It's also FREE!!

 

[Bellasmom]

This is my first post and it's on a subject that I finally just found a solution for.

I have a tractor for my 2 girls and they've had a hard time with having a dust bath. So for a temporary solution I filled a couple of box lids with ashes from the fireplace and some dry dirt from my garden. Now I feel like a bad chicken owner as they has have been bathing for about 40 minutes!

Will they do this everday? So I would need to put them in the tractor everday, as I have to take them out because my tractor isn't huge.

Thanks!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Welcome to BYC. Yes, dustbathing is a daily activity and one they seem to thoroughly enjoy.

 

[Bellasmom]

Thank you! They bathed for a solid hour and only quit because it is now raining. I am a new chicken owner, we had them when I was young but these are my first ones on my own. I am certainly enjoying watching them.

 

[chicky gal1]

Welcome!

and does anyone know how much DE to put in the dustbath? Can it be mixed with anything?

 

[desertgirl]

Where do people get this"play sand"? I've called a few places, and they don't seem to know what I'm talking about.Any other names?

 

[redhen]

Quote:
OKAY...now i feel like an idiot...i always shooed mine away from the cold fire pit ashes! they used to always try to go in there...i thought the ashes would make them sick or something...

 

[enola]

Any Wal~Mart carries play sand. It is 2.98 at the one in town.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot.

 

[tn chick]

Quote:
oh cool another thing i can use the ashes for i had been dumping them in my garden.

guess hubby has a new job on the hunny do list sand box for the kids

someone please tell me where i could find thisE
i have access to tractor supply and co-op