Dust Bath Mixtures?

[ChickenCrazed]

I would love to know what everyone is using for dust baths...I have ash from our pellet stove and hubby is going to pitch it...Should I use this for a dust bath?...IF so do you mix anything else in with it?

 

[hennyannie]

I am not sure about using ash, seems like it could cause respiratory problems if they inhale it. I just buy play sand for mine plus they are in a run that we till often with our mantis.

 

[ChickenCrazed]

I have heard that it is beneficial to mix the ash with sand...I too was worried about inhalation of the fine ash dust...But rolling in the dry dust in the garden is pretty fine also...Hmmmmm....

 

[donrae]

Mine just use the dirt on the ground?

We put ashes in our compost pile. I'd think you could mix the ash in with the sand/dirt.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Wood ash is a traditional dust bath ingredient for chickens. You can mix it with fine dirt or sand. Chickens have been known to find an ash pile and dust in straight ash, too. Chickens sometimes like to dust bathe in peat moss, too.

 

[paddock36]

If I have hens that are in pens I use a mixture of sand from my DS sandbox and DE.

 

[ChickenCrazed]

Thanks everyone...I may try using the ash mixed with sand and see how they do...I bet the girls will love it!

 

[ScotianChick]

Mine use the dirt in the yard but sometimes I supplement it with ash from my fireplace. They love it! Plus they'll find it anyway, I use it in the garden before planting.