Dusting

[homestead5er]

I'm making a raised dusting bed in my pen, what should I use instead of Georgia red clay.

 

[gritsar]

If you have a Lowes or home depot or such near you, you can get play sand or even bags of top soil. We have nothing close to sand on this farm. The chickens use the rich garden soil. They look kinda icky when they first stand up after bathing, but they shake it off.

 

[Chicabee19]

You can add DE to whatever you choose to help with mites/bugs.

 

[debilorrah]

We use plain ole garden dirt. they love it.

 

[ChickaD]

Our chickens love dust bathing in ashes

...you might add some if they're available.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Deb, being from CA you may not know this, but plain ole garden dirt is hard to come by in GA. It's all red and it's all clay.

 

[Leah-yes I know I'm crazy]

Quote:
I'll have plenty of those once we light up the woodstove. Thanks for the idea.

 

[homestead5er]

Thank's Ya'll I made a 3' by 4' box out of 2 by 6 put in in my pen, I put 3" of sand in and two bags of top soil from Home Depot, I'll add the DE when I get some chickens.

 

[ChickaD]

Oh, I almost forgot something important! If you want to make SURE your chickens will go for your dusting area, just plant some nice perennials nearby and keep shooing the "girls" away from the area so they don't dig up all the plants.........that should do it!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Ain't that the truth~!

Oh homestead5er I almost forgot. Make sure it's food grade DE.