Dust bath

[CatSeg]

My girls are about 5 months old now, we've had them for 3 weeks. They were able to free range by the previous owner so I assume they "bathed" out there somewhere. I made a dust bath for them in the run we have.... wood ash, sand and dirt. But I have never seen them use for that purpose. They roost on the edge and it seems it is used for a poop space or they all get in at once and sit there.

Being very new at all this we are leary of free ranging (too many potential predators around). Am I just missing bath time or should I be worried at all about this?

One more quick Q... how do I know when they need grit and how should I give it to them?

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[GC-Raptor]

made a dust bath for them in the run we have.... wood ash, sand and dirt. But I have never seen them use for that purpose.

My pullets dust bathing at 10 weeks old.

They dig into the dirt and toss it over themselves.

One more quick Q... how do I know when they need grit and how should I give it to them?

I give it in 40 oz pails.

I drilled several 3/32" holes in the bottom to drain moisture.
I remove handle and hang in a corner with an eye screw. Easy to remove and replace by turning screw a quarter turn. GC

 

[cmom]

Unless you give your birds grains and seeds as treats, they don't need any grit. Many people won't agree with this but it works for me, I put it in their feeders and they take what they want. Most people give it to them in some type of container but their gizzards aren't that large so they don't need a lot of it in my opinion. I used to give it to them free choice but I also have large flocks and it usually ended up on the floor or ground. I don't free range anymore due to losses from predators in the past but my birds all have nice large covered pens with plenty of shade. I have rain/shade tables in all of the pens. The birds like to dust bathe under the tables so I either put poultry dust under the tables or spray under them. Once in awhile they will go out into the sunny part but prefer the shade. Good luck and have fun...

 

[CatSeg]

My pullets dust bathing at 10 weeks old.View attachment 2263175
They dig into the dirt and toss it over themselves.

I give it in 40 oz pails. View attachment 2263198 I drilled several 3/32" holes in the bottom to drain moisture.
I remove handle and hang in a corner with an eye screw. Easy to remove and replace by turning screw a quarter turn.View attachment 2263190 GC

OK. I will dump out the dust bath pan I have now and they can do whatever they want. I'll
toss in wood ash and sand occasionally. Thanks!