Dust baths...when to start?

[youcancallmeAl]

I am curious as to when the little chicks would like to play in the sand or other substance, for their dust baths? When do they start this? I have 4 day old chicks and want to have things ready for them. When can I give and what kind of treats do they like? This forum is so awesome for a newbie like myself!!!!!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I give my little chicks a sandwich container filled with sand when they are 3/4 days old. They will peck, scratch, eat and bathe with wild abandon

It is so fun to watch.

Treats then follow - they will try just about everything.

 

[MountainChickenMama]

Can you use playsand or do you have to have a certain type of sand?

 

[Longfellowgirls]

I'm new to this chick raising as well and would like to know this! I have a buff orp 2.5 weeks, A gold lace wyandotte and a barred rock 2.5 weeks and a blue cochin that is 1 week. I've notice the older chicks trying to dust bathe in the pine chips. Should I put in a little sand box and is any kind of sand ok for them? I have DE but haven't used it yet...I wonder when to start? Any advise is good advise

 

[TouchO'Lass]

This was my first batch also (Apr 1st) and I was terrified of adding anything that would make them sick, but I live in a really small town away from everything and finding playground sand in the winter wasn't happening! And a couple of my Polish had pasty butt.

A friend who's had chickens forever told me to rip open one of the sandbags I used in my truck for winter traction and put that in their brooder.

I did (after drying some in the oven), and added it to their brooder at 1 week old, and they fought over the little dish! I had to add another plate to keep the peace! I used shallow heavy plastic lids (nothing they can flip on top of themselves!), but several people have mentioned frisbees, which would have been ideal.

The pasty butt cleared right up! I also have BRs and EE's, and they LOVE their dirt...

Good Luck!

 

[Longfellowgirls]

Thanks for the ideas!!

 

[ninabeast]

After the first week of having my first chicks, I decided to change to sand in the brooder; it's now been another full week since I changed. It ain't perfect, but at least the sand dust doesn't bother my throat and lungs the way the pine shavings were, and I believe my chicks are cleaner.

Needless to say, they have as much sand as they want and there have been no repercussions. Yes, they pecked at it like crazy, at first, but that quickly wore off. Once the sand heats under the heat lamp, they seemed to really enjoy snuggling down in it.

And I witnessed my first dust bath the other day! Good thing BYC-ers had prepared me for this, because, yes, it looks like she's having a life-ending seizure.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that my experience tells me that sand, even a LOT of it, is not going to hurt them. And no need for extra grit.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
It can be any type of sand that is not treated with chemicals or has salt in it (like ocean beach sand). Because I live in the desert, I just take from right outside the door - even if it is wet/damp, I scoop and put into the brooder. Chicks do not care - moist or dry, they will have a blast.

I start my chicks out very soon with sand for the simple reason that my broodies do the same thing. About day 3 a broody generally leaves the nest with her chicks, and one of the first things she does is introduce the chick to dirt/sand/grit. She pecks and calls the chicks to try some and they do.


Never fear that the chick will eat too much sand/grit. If they do, their body processes it, the gizzard keeps what it needs and the rest is flushed out in the chick waste.

 

[Judy]

Usually, sand particles are a little small for adult chicken grit, but they're fine for young chicks. Play sand, building sand, river sand -- i don't think it matters. Though I agree I'd probably rinse the worst of the salt off ocean sand.

 

[Longfellowgirls]

What about the free sand the city gives out for de-icing the sidewalk? I'm not sure if there would be any chemicals in it but maybe a good rinse?