Dust bath with wood ashes?

[lafclayton]

I'm a new chicken Mom and have really enjoyed having them these last 10 weeks. I read that wood ashes are good to add to an area for the girls to dust bathe. My father-in-law asked if the lye created from rain on the ashes wouldn't be harmful to the girls. Anyone know if there's a worry?

 

[flewdacoop]

i use pine shavings and have no problems

 

[easteregger96]

I use wood ashes and never have a problem. The wood ashes are good for keeping lice away. Also, my girls love wood ashes because it is alot finer than dirt.

 

[chfite]

The wood ashes have to soak in the rainwater to make lye. If the ashes are on the ground, the water would simply pass through them into the soil.

I use some wood ashes without any apparent problems.

Chris