How necessary is a dust bath in winter?

[Shadrach]

ty,,what is diatomaccous earth for?

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.

 

[EggWalrus]

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.

Make sure to read both sides of the DE arguments. It could cause problems for you and the birds. But as long as you don't abuse it, it might not hurt them even though it doesn't work.
It's more likely to make you feel better for using it than it would help the birds.

 

[whit246]

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

 

[EggWalrus]

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

You got that right!
Learn all you can about everything, then make up your own educated mind.

 

[SW31]

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!

 

[Melky]

ty,,what is diatomaccous earth for?

To prevent lice mites etc from bothering your chickens. I use food grade DE puffed into my coop/run as a preventative along with poultry protection spray. So far no pests.

 

[MissChick@dee]

My suggestion use a tote with a snap lid. Keep the lid tight in bad weather. They make low-wide totes for storage that are designed to slide under your bed. Amazon has them.
I have a tin roof and tarps so mine have dry soil.
Best wishes

 

[whit246]

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!

wow!!

 

[UKchooks]

My suggestion use a tote with a snap lid. Keep the lid tight in bad weather. They make low-wide totes for storage that are designed to slide under your bed. Amazon has them.

That's the type of container I have, and that's just what I plan to do once I get the chance to bail out the current "swimming pool"! This weather at the moment is making me think I should have got ducks rather than chickens!

 

[whit246]

That's the type of container I have, and that's just what I plan to do once I get the chance to bail out the current "swimming pool"! This weather at the moment is making me think I should have got ducks rather than chickens!

going towalmart to get one....thanks