Dust baths

[jennyman]

Hello All! With winter approaching, I wanted to build a portable dust bath. I was looking to put a mix of dirt, sand ash, and peat moss. All the sand I can finish either play sand or all purpose which cautions about causing cancer. I am not sure what to do. What type of sand do you get for dust baths?

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

My chickens just dust bathe in the dirt we have. @aart @black_cat @cluckmecoop7

 

[aart]

Mine bathe in the sandy dirt under the coop.

 

[CayugaMama]

My chickens just bathe in our dirt, but you could possibly purchase some food grade soil from a local plant nursery perhaps?

 

[Kiraeh]

I made mine a bath in the coop out of a large cat litter box, filled with peat moss, wood ash, and a shovelful of dry dirt(which where I am is extremely sandy). It has a lid so it goes right under the roost, easy to deal with.

 

[aart]

food grade soil

Have never heard of 'food grade soil'.

 

[CayugaMama]

Have never heard of 'food grade soil'.

That's surprising. Soil mixes that are created for organic vegetable gardens. No added fertilizers or chemicals, etc. (ie - not miracle grow!)

 

[aart]

That's surprising. Soil mixes that are created for organic vegetable gardens. No added fertilizers or chemicals, etc. (ie - not miracle grow!)

Well, have heard of organic soils, and soils with no added fertilizers, but not 'food grade'.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't use sand in mine - you don't need to use all possible recommended components, just having peat moss, ash and dirt would be great.

 

[GC-Raptor]

My pullets and hens dust bathe in the natural soil here.
Either under the raised coop

or in their pen.

In the winter the dirt under the raised coops stay dry so it doesn't freeze.

GC