Dust baths in the winter

[aart]

DE is a natural product.

Yes, but is doesn't do much for chickens,
unless you've got grain mites in your feed storage.

 

[Chullicken]

Yes, but is doesn't do much for chickens,
unless you've got grain mites in your feed storage.

Sure it does against larvae/eggs. Adults, not so much.

 

[Saaniya]

I don't let my chickens to have dust baths in winter as the soil/sand is moist cause of dew and I guess moist soil contains bacteria and chickens peck some soil too ..so I arrange some wood ash otherwise sun bath on a clean towel so they can clean ..heheh

 

[Chullicken]

I don't let my chickens to have dust baths in winter as the soil/sand is moist cause of dew and I guess moist soil contains bacteria and chickens peck some soil too ..so I arrange some wood ash otherwise sun bath on a clean towel so they can clean ..heheh

I have the same issue, I spent some money and built them a custom dust bath 'container'. Used All Purpose Sand, Ash...they all hopped in as I sat there. About three minutes into it they all pooped in and hopped out..not one used it for a bath. The struggle is real with chickens!

 

[Saaniya]

I have the same issue, I spent some money and built them a custom dust bath 'container'. Used All Purpose Sand, Ash...they all hoped in as I sat there. About three minutes into it they all pooped in and hoped out..not one used it for a bath. The struggle is real with chickens!

Totally agree with u ..
Poop is the big thing with chickens managing chickens I'm winter is a tough task ..we having about 10°C in night & 22 in day

 

[Chullicken]

More years I have chickens, the more I realize they can really take care of themselves. Winter wind, snow, ice, rain, blazing heat..provide them food, water, health care and shelter and you'll be amazed at how well they figure things out for themselves. I've wasted so much money trying to out think nature...wasted so much time trying to out think nature. Self realization that simple is best with any kind of animal.

 

[lazy gardener]

My birds dust bathe in their DL in both coop and run. If we have enough of a thaw that they can get out into the path around the house to the south side flower bed, and if that soil is not frozen solid, they will go there for some sunbathing.

 

[lazy gardener]

I don't let my chickens to have dust baths in winter as the soil/sand is moist cause of dew and I guess moist soil contains bacteria and chickens peck some soil too ..so I arrange some wood ash otherwise sun bath on a clean towel so they can clean ..heheh

IN amost all instances, access to the microbes in the soil is a good thing. It helps the chickens build a healthy gut flora.

 

[Chullicken]

My birds dust bathe in their DL in both coop and run. If we have enough of a thaw that they can get out into the path around the house to the south side flower bed, and if that soil is not frozen solid, they will go there for some sunbathing.

Hoping this works out, but I'm building a new and bigger run that has one corner sheathed with PVC clear UV roofing panels to make a little 'sun box' for just that purpose. Probably another futile effort on my behalf to make their lives better. lol

 

[Wolfgang B.]

I bought a couple bags of playground sand at the hardware store and add the ashes from our oven every week. Works for our chickens just fine. No problem with pooping or laying eggs in it either luckily.

I built it two years ago without knowing that the roof will be their sleeping spot all year long except for winters...