Dust Bath Questions?

[yoie]

I have a few questions concerning the chickens dust baths. What do most of you mix together for them to bathe in? Do you use DE, sand, dirt ? I haven't been able to find foodgrade DE by me, but was wondering if anyone has ever used small animal/chinchilla dust bath for thier chickens? It contains volcanic mountain minerals. Maybe this mixed with sand? Just throwing ideas out any input would be greatful!

 

[Imp]

I use what ever I have available. Mine like to bathe in the heavy clay soils we have around here and sometimes in the compost. When it turns into a hole. I add more dirt, sand, wood ash, compost and occasionally Stall Dry.
Course everytime I add something they treat it like poison for a while.

Imp

eta- I don't use DE, but Stall Dry is 40% DE, and cheaper.

 

[azygous]

Peat moss makes an excellent dirt bath. It's good and dusty when dry. Baby chicks really love dirt-bathing in it!

 

[swimmer]

If they free range, they will go anywhere they desire. I also have a litter box with sand in the run for when they are locked in.

 

[Chick named Lola]

I have a sand floor that gets DE mixed in periodically to keep things dry. They picked a favorite spot in the run and that is where they dust bath every afternoon.