Dust baths, pure dirt?

[cake lady hen lover]

Inside my pen gets quite poopy as the ground is covered with chicken wire, and then a layer of sand for drainage. I was thinking on the days I don't let them out to roam the woods (have to be here to watch for fox) can I put a cat litter box of dirt in their pen for dust baths? Should I add sand or any other material for a healthier, more effective bath? Is the purpose of the dust bath to get rid of mites?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I use a baby pool filled with construction grade sand, not play sand. My flock loves it!!!!
If you don’t have sand, then topsoil or just plain dirt would work. A kitty litter pan may be too small......good luck and have FUN with your flock!

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

Good question. I plan on making a dirt box as well for my new coop. I plan on getting some boards and screwing them together and filling it up with fresh clean dirt. The only problem I am having is figuring out where to get the dirt.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Ash, from a woodstove, bonfire etc..... natural bug repellent as well (including lice/mites)

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

Ash, from a woodstove, bonfire etc..... natural bug repellent as well (including lice/mites)

Make sure that they're not cedar ashes right? Or is that okay since they're burned?

 

[Clousic Chicks]

Ours have always found a place in our run that they turn in to their "bathing" area. Usually, it's right under the ramp into the coop, but also under the coop...for some reason they don't poop as much there! I've tried the sand, setting up a special place, etc., and it's never worked...they make their own way. I'm just always thankful that they actually take a bath!

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I buy a large bag of peat moss / sphagnum for $7 and use that for the dust bath, because it's hard to come by "dirt" at my house... too many rocks. I add ash from the grill from time to time as well.

But to your question, "pure dirt" will be fine.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Make sure that they're not cedar ashes right? Or is that okay since they're burned?

it's the off gassing from the cedar chips that is the issue, often as a result of decaying... so burned cedar would be fine, as the chemical compounds that can cause respiratory problems for chickens would be broken down in the process of burning

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Make sure that they're not cedar ashes right? Or is that okay since they're burned?

I've never used cedar so I can't answer that and be honest about, sorry.

 

[lazy gardener]

I buy a large bag of peat moss / sphagnum for $7 and use that for the dust bath, because it's hard to come by "dirt" at my house... too many rocks. I add ash from the grill from time to time as well.

But to your question, "pure dirt" will be fine.

My understanding is that charcoal briquettes have a lot of chemical additives that would not be healthy for chickens. If you are burning wood in your grill, that ash would be acceptable, but I'm also guessing that any ash from a grill would be quite greasy. (might give the chooks a complex if they come out of the dust bath smelling like BBQ chicken!)

To OP: Is your run a walk in style? If so, have you considered converting to deep litter? My birds dust bathe in the DL on all but the wettest days.