Dust bathing

[Dahlia2]

Quick question (new to chickens), I've heard dried coffee grounds can be put in a dust bath, but what about dried tea leaves (from tea bags) can they be used? Just curious.

I've one hen, however it's always raining here & we have no undercover area (yet) to keep a dust bath dry, therefore she isn't getting to dust bath as often as she (or we) would like. Planning on getting something organised, but does anyone have any hints for good dust bathing?

Cheers
D.

 

[dmack]

Honestly I don't have a covered area for my birds either. I just go in the run once a week and dig up a couple inches of dirt for them. They will scratch around and get plenty of dirt. A good thing though if you want a special place is a small kiddy pool filled will fine dirt and some food grade DE. Dried tea leaves are ok along with coffee grounds. Then just put a cover a few feet above to shade and protect it if you don't want it getting wet. Tarp or ply wood would be good.

 

[CherishHolland]

I use a mix of sand,dusty dirt and wood ashes,though not all of my chickens use it. I do have some who prefer to bathe in pine shavings,and one who tries to bathe in the feeder.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

I use a mix of sand,dusty dirt and wood ashes,though not all of my chickens use it. I do have some who prefer to bathe in pine shavings,and one who tries to bathe in the feeder.

Haha! I don't have bathing box my chickens dust bathe in the dirt on the ground. They love it. Dust bathing material can be lots of things, and I think dried tea leaves would work too, but that might cost a lot to by all that tea...
Good luck!

 

[TheCrazyClucker]

I don't put anything special out for them,they just dust bathe in the dirt. That's all they really need in terms of dust bathing. I think just plain dirt keeps the parasites off them more than anything.