Dust in hen house.

[chickenwhisper2]

One of my chicken books states that..."To settle the dust in the hen house with a dirt floor." Spray the dirt with a solution of water and oil using a pump sprayer. However, it doesn't tell me what type of oil to use or how much oil to mix with a gal. of water. Does anyone in the forum have knowledge of using this oil spray solution in the hen house? Would it harm the chickens in any way or would it be better for the hen house to remain dusty?

 

[mississippifarmboy]

I wouldn't spray mine with any type oil. Our's is dusty, but it's not a big deal to us. I just live with it. I have more problems keeping things dry. We have dirt floors but they are covered with pine shavings that we clean out a couple of times a year. Do a search here for the "deep litter" method to see how we handle ours.
Good luck

 

[msteresaann]

The book was probable referring to vegetable oil.
A number of people use Neem oil.
Google Neem oil and chickens and you will find a lot of information.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6322840_rid-mites-chickens-herbally.html

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Does your hen house have a plain dirt floor and no litter? Is that why it's so dusty? Or does it have litter on the floor and it's just too dry?

 

[chickenwhisper2]

The hen house has a dirt floor. I've just started putting shavings in it so there is not a heavy build up collected. It's just dry.