Dust bath

[Dianad24]

I have chicks from 12 days old to maybe 3 weeks old right now in the brooder. They seem bored. I’m looking to possibly make a small temporary dust bath I can take out once they’re done using it. When water spills, they try to make a dust bath out of the wet newspaper. I’ve read several forums on what to use. I’ve read concrete sand, dirt, sod, wood ash etc. I didn’t want to use yard dirt yet because of the 12 day olds. Any feedback on this would be helpful. Thank you in advance.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

Right now in my rabbit hutch, I have a bowl with dirt in it. You could use sand. They bowl need to be sturdy so they don't nock it over.

 

[Dianad24]

Right now in my rabbit hutch, I have a bowl with dirt in it. You could use sand. They bowl need to be sturdy so they don't nock it over.View attachment 2150009

I’m having a hard time finding out what type of sand is safest.

 

[DobieLover]

I’m having a hard time finding out what type of sand is safest.

You should use dry soil from where they will ultimately live for a dust bath medium.
I would also give them a chunk of sod from the yard for them to dig through.
To keep the brooder dry, you can make a baby bottle like this with a vertical nipple at the bottom.

Give them things to perch on too.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

My 5 and 1 day olds took a dust bath out side in the dirt and they did just fine so it should be ok. If you ate afraid of mites you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth in the dirt. It's a natural dewormer and kills fleas, mites, and lies.

 

[MIgardengal]

My chicks are two weeks old. I just put down some sand from the back yard, in a old pet food dish. I tossed some chopped herbs in it to keep them and the tote clean smelling. They -loved- it fluffed and rolled in it, pecked it, and fell asleep in it!

 

[Rivendell Chick]

I’m having a hard time finding out what type of sand is safest.

I'm using river sand in my run, they are enjoying digging around in it and burrowing down. There are several large divots every evening where they've snuggled into it where the late day sun hits.

 

[Dianad24]

My chicks are two weeks old. I just put down some sand from the back yard, in a old pet food dish. I tossed some chopped herbs in it to keep them and the tote clean smelling. They -loved- it fluffed and rolled in it, pecked it, and fell asleep in it!

What herbs? Basil, rosemary thyme? I didn’t know they could be introduced at this age. Good to know. Ty.

 

[MIgardengal]

I put in lavender, and rosemary. The brooder was in my house, so it helped keeping everything fresh smelling.

 

[Shadrach]

Sand doesn't make for a good dust bath. Earth is best. You can add some hardwood ash as well. Sand doesn't absorb the oils that get excreted that helps to keep their feathers in good condition well. Earth does a much better job. Chickens like two types of dust bath, one moist soil and one dry and dusty.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-chickens-bath-in-dust-and-not-in-water.74441/