Dust Bath!

[meglynnie]

Good morning Flock!

Continuation of my endless questions.

What are the best items to put into a dust bath for chicks?

I have some wood ash where we burn and lots and lots of dirt on our farm, but no loose sand.

Thank you!

 

[BuffOrps32]

Mine use dust, I have heard dirt is fine. How old are the chicks?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I just use dirt for chicks. A clump brought in with grass or whatever still attached... in a pan or something.

It gives the a little grit and some exposure to the stuff in your ground before going out full time. If they were vaccinated against Marek's, it's important to mind the quarantine time.

They love the enrichment it provides!

I would save adding any wood ash until they are outdoors and need it to help fight off parasites.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Loose dirt with a handful of wood ash thrown in is your best bet for older ones. For babies, no wood ash, just dirt.

 

[meglynnie]

Mine use dust, I have heard dirt is fine. How old are the chicks?

They are around 3 weeks

 

[Acre4Me]

If given a choice, they will dust bath in anything fine and loose...with many BYCers indicating that thier chickens especially love to dust bathe in their flower beds when given a chance. Ours dust bath happily in dry dirt that has some sand in it. We plan to add more sand to the driest area of the run (under their elevated coop) and eventually some wood ash.

 

[BuffOrps32]

They are around 3 weeks

Just dirt!

 

[meglynnie]

Well that was simple! Thank you all!