Feeding ashes to your chickens

[goatluver20]

Okay, so my brothers friend asked me if I had considered giving ashes from my fireplace to my chickens. I thought that ashes would be caustic. Are ashes safe to feed them?

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I don't give my girls ashes to eat but will dump cold ashes in the run as they like to dust bath in them. I'll find them eating bits of the ashes and charcoal so I'm thinking their systems need something that the ashes and bits of charcoal are providing. They don't eat much, though.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I think your friend is confused -- wood ash is not for chickens to eat it is mixed into their dirt bathes to help prevent external mites.

http://ohhshop.com/blog/learn/chickens/wood-ash-a-hens-best-kept-beauty-secret/#axzz2pYpXUXFF

 

[goatluver20]

Maybe I misheard him but I don't think so lol. Thanks for clearing things up. I might give them some for a dust bath