Dust Bath

[FiddleChics]

I keep our dustbath, uncovered - in a corner of our run, where I've placed stones at the edges to define it. I'm at the shore, so we have pretty sandy soil... but every few days or so, I hoe it up - to keep it loose & 'dusty'.... and even when it's wet out, it seems to dry pretty quick. I also just spot clean if I see something... not too hard.

I use a mix of wood ash from our wood stove, (got TONS of that so when ever I empty it, I just add it in the dustbath for them + a small scoop of food grade DE, a few scoops of First Saturday Lime - which is food grade too, so it's great & helps repel mites or lice, peat moss, and I've found - to attract them to it, & an extra benefit... I sprinkle a bit of herbs in there too. Rosemary leaves, mint, (in winter I just cut open a few tea bags of mint) lavender, oregano, etc... They like the smell, and nibbling at the tidbits they find while they're rolling around... & the herbs are another good mite & lice repellant as well... & it's fun & I enjoy spoiling them. Of course... when it's snowing or a week of rain... it gets gross... so I just keep fluffing it with the hoe... & hoping it'll dry out.

 

[RebelChief]

If one does not have a fireplace/stove, where can one get wood ash? I have a huge old tire that I was going to fill full of dirt, sand and DE. Is that ok?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If one does not have a fireplace/stove, where can one get wood ash?

If you don't have access to wood ash just skip it.

 

[RebelChief]

If you don't have access to wood ash just skip it.

Ok so just DE, dirt, sand and herbs will be ok?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok so just DE, dirt, sand and herbs will be ok?

I personally don't add "extras" - so I'd just do dirt and sand, in your case.

 

[RebelChief]

I personally don't add "extras" - so I'd just do dirt and sand, in your case.

Thank you.