How necessary is a dust bath in winter?

[Arielle2]

good lord, if I followed everything people write, I would never be done. I guess the best thing is follow your gut

Do your own research on the subject. Look at the pros and cons, and then decide. Trial it and see if you get the results expected. IF not try another option.

DE comes in different forms. THere are topical pesticides. Ashes. Cipping off clumps, etc. There is much to investigate.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Dust baths are a form of enrichment as well as a precaution against mites. Just give them some sand or fine dirt to bathe in, that can suffocate parasites and will definitely provide enrichment. You can place a small bath in the coop or another sheltered area.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Maybe find an area where you can section it off to keep it dry with a barrier? Last year my chickens dust bath was in a plastic tub placed under their coop and the area was covered by plastic wrap to keep it dry.
This year it's a different set up, but the area is blocked off by a tarp and I dug dirt to add to it if the ground freezes. The dirt is placed in buckets (sitting in a warm building) and I will mix wood ashes from our wood stove in it before placing it in the area. My dirt is a bit sandy, but sometimes I add sand too.
Whether it is needed or not, they use it and love it. So, I provide it for their enjoyment and benefit.

 

[whit246]

Maybe find an area where you can section it off to keep it dry with a barrier? Last year my chickens dust bath was in a plastic tub placed under their coop and the area was covered by plastic wrap to keep it dry.
This year it's a different set up, but the area is blocked off by a tarp and I dug dirt to add to it if the ground freezes. The dirt is placed in buckets (sitting in a warm building) and I will mix wood ashes from our wood stove in it before placing it in the area. My dirt is a bit sandy, but sometimes I add sand too.
Whether it is needed or not, they use it and love it. So, I provide it for their enjoyment and benefit.

yes, I bought a plastic tub that fits right under the coop.My hubby is getting sand today. Is it necessary to mix wood ash? Don't know where I can get that.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

yes, I bought a plastic tub that fits right under the coop.My hubby is getting sand today. Is it necessary to mix wood ash? Don't know where I can get that.

No. I just have it from our wood burner.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Wood ash is good but not required. Give them their sandbox, just throw in some ash later if you want to.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

Nothing really. Though some people think it's a magic fix all.

I like to use it to dry out my run after the rain. Its a great dessicant. I throw some on the wallowed out holes they use to bathe. Also throw some on the wet poopy spots on the hen house floor. Drys it out real quick.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

Imo it's a health hazard and a waste of money. The forum is fairly divided on this issue.
I would read what you can about it here and elsewhere before you think about buying any.

Yup.You should use a mask like a hospital type. DE is a silicon and gets in your lungs and forms microscopic cysts if you breath it

 

[WindingRoad]

Yup.You should use a mask like a hospital type. DE is a silicon and gets in your lungs and forms microscopic cysts if you breath it

Just don't have the PSI so high on your canister when you're distributing it. You don't need a nasal cannula hooked up either. I probably get more "bad stuff" in my lungs when my birds flap their wings.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I’ve got some raised flower/vegetable beds. The hens love them. So the deal is they get part of one bed they can bathe in. (I’ve fenced the other part of as it’s got dahlia tubers in it which will get frost damage if they start kicking the earth off of the tubers. They can also go in another bed to rout around for bugs and spread tomatoe seeds. It’s a win win.

I know when they want a bath as they comme running up to the electric gate crying to be let out. They make a straight run to the beds. Once they’re finished their bath they come back into the run. While they’re in the bed they keeping making a happy purring type noise!

I repurposed a few items and used one of my garden beds to make a Hawk hideout which doubles as a covered dust bath. Rain snow doesn’t matter the dirt stays dry! They love it.