Dust baths...when to start?

[NewOldMotherHen]

Play sand is produced for children's sandboxes. Some of it has been treated with chemicals to kill germs, so I would recommend carefully reading the labels.

 

[Katydid2011]

I use Nature's Bedding 100% pine pellets - the same stuff I use for my horses stall bedding. When the pellets are sprinkled with water they turn to saw dust. My pullets and hens prefer it over dirt and sand and it's so easy to keep clean if someone poops in it! The poop clumps and dries almost immediately and you can pick it out without a mess and without contaminating the rest of the material.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Oh my goodness thanks for all the info! I just increased the size of the brooder today for my 5 day old chicks, added a small "roost" which they keep trying out! Perhaps in a day or so I will add a frisbee-( thanks TouchO'Lass)-full of sand! Should be entertaining. Oh and the pasty butt has cleared up...especially now that they can reach that area to groom!

 

[CowgirlPenny]

My older chicks dust bathe all the time. My baby chicks got to go outside on grass for the first time today and it just took a few minutes for them to discover a bare spot where they could kick the dirty and dust up onto them. They loved it! They are 4 and 5 weeks old.

 

[nipper75]

I gave mine some DE today. They are almost 3 weeks old now. Once they realized what they can do with it, it was a dust storm!!!

 

[CowgirlPenny]

Quote:
I think that was for mites and lice?

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Is it too early at 5 days to introduce some sand in the brooder? They are pecking at it, seem to like it? I would assume if they were with their mother she would be showing them this?

 

[egg_tastic]

I gave mine sand/dirt at 6 days old. Others in this thread said they had as well, even younger. Another poster mentioned that if with their mothers, she would have them out at around 3 days old teaching them to peck at the dirt. They will love it.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Quote:
Thanks for the reassurance...I think that is what I need. This is my first time and I don't want to make a mistake, and I want them to be happy! Amazing how quickly they are transforming...quite the little entertainers!