Dust Bath

[JackAyla]

I introduced a dust bath to my year old hens and they are ignoring it - how do I introduce them to it and get them to use it? It is diatomaceous earth in a large round rubber feed bin. I also want to introduce one to my three chicks who are starting to fledge out in feathers. I need help!

 

[WingItRanch]

I would add in some regular dirt like potting soil. The DE alone is too light and they like to scratch around in thicker stuff. You're using food grade DE, right? I typically use majority potting soil with some food grade DE and some wood ash.

Also let them see you mixing it. They'll get curious and come over.

 

[Logar]

I wouldn’t use DE. It can be a respiratory irritant. I just use plain soil I dig up in my backyard. Organic topsoil can also work fine. Just make sure the area is covered so it doesn’t get overly wet when it rains.

It is just going to take some time, especially if it is raised up a lot. They will figure it out. If you want I can post a picture of how I have mine setup as I love it.

 

[JackAyla]

I wouldn’t use DE. It can be a respiratory irritant. I just use plain soil I dig up in my backyard. Organic topsoil can also work fine. Just make sure the area is covered so it doesn’t get overly wet when it rains.

It is just going to take some time, especially if it is raised up a lot. They will figure it out. If you want I can post a picture of how I have mine setup as I love it.

Yes that would be great! Mine have a tiny outdoor area that is not covered but I can put it into the hen house it’s quite large.

 

[JackAyla]

I would add in some regular dirt like potting soil. The DE alone is too light and they like to scratch around in thicker stuff. You're using food grade DE, right? I typically use majority potting soil with some food grade DE and some wood ash.

Also let them see you mixing it. They'll get curious and come over.

It is safe DE and I will add some regular dirt to it. I have potting soil but it has fertilizer in it. I will try to find some earth around the house that isn’t all clay. I have some sand around the sprinkler system that’s not working right now. I can enlarge some dog holes!!

 

[Logar]

Yes that would be great! Mine have a tiny outdoor area that is not covered but I can put it into the hen house it’s quite large.

This is mine. It is just a 2 foot by 2 foot square made out of a 1x6 (or something like that) pressure treated wood I got for 70% off at Home Depot due to it being ever so slightly damaged. Mine seem to use it a lot more than their old one which was a bin with higher sides. The only downside I have with mine is that I have to refill it every 2-4 weeks as they kick a lot of it out. Slightly higher sides would help but I honestly think they prefer having it lower to the ground

Edit: in the picture is the day before I refilled it

 

[WingItRanch]

Sorry for the bad photo but this is mine. They love it and are all crammed in. Lol. I used a spare plastic basin that was left on my property when I purchased it. I drilled some holes in it so it drains out any water if we get sideways rain.

I'd say I use 80% soil, 10% wood ash, 10% food grade DE. As Logar said, DE can cause breathing problems because it's so light weight and basically floats in the air.