Dust Bathes

[simplynewt]

Since it is cold outside and mostly damp on the ground, what can be used for a dust bath for the hens? I am sure a pan big enough for one of them to fit into but what would be a good product to put in the pan?

Thanks for the replies in advance.

 

[laseterlass]

I use granite sand. Them dust in it and eat it for grit. My silly girls dust bathe in the wood shavings also. Not picky at all. I have also added fireplace ashes to the dust bath to make it more dusty.

 

[simplynewt]

I didnt know you could use fireplace ashes. I have a ton of that. How often do you supply this "bath" for them?

 

[laseterlass]

At least a few times a month. I just use a soda flat with about and inch and a half of sand and ashe in it. Just a little ash though.

 

[Tressa27884]

I use food grade DE, mixed with potting soil. My girls love it!

 

[dirtsaver]

I built a sandbox in the run (3'x3'x10") for the girls out of scrap wood and filled it 1/2 way with contractors sand. Contractors sand is a coarse mixed sand and does not pack like play sand. They have also scratched out dust bowls in the chicken pasture(backyard). In wet weather the girls will dust bathe in the shavings in the coop. They really need dust bathing provisions all the time. You never know when the urge will hit them.

 

[simplynewt]

I was wondering if it was alright to use DE. I have a small coop so it would have to be outside. Thinking about getting on of those round rubber pans like you see at Jeffers but a soda flat might be better and cheaper.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
I think they'd appreciate having access to a dust bath at all times. It's certainly good for their feathers and their "personal hygiene."

 

[Linn Bee]

Now that is is getting cold, I dug up some of the soil from their current dust bath area and mixed it with DE in a large sized cat litter box. They still are getting outside to free range so they are still dusting in the dry ground under the eaves. While it's not quite as nice as their own dust holes, someone has been using the box in the coop.

Love, Linn B (aka Smart Red) Gardening zone 5a - 4b in south-est, central-est Wisconsin

 

[mikeinri]

I have some of the cardboard material kitty litter boxxes. They come in 3packs at wallyworld or target. I'm going to try that. The all purpose construction sand works great in the coop. Its the perfect grit for them. I have DE to mix in the sand for their dust-bathtub.