How often do chickens need to use sand or ash bath?

[drymanhattan]

I keep my four young hens in a coop and small run, which is on dirt. I have been hurling food, pellets and greens and what have you, onto the dirt of the run. All is well so far. I do plan to let them out under close supervision very soon. I have not yet made any provision for the bathing. I am planning to use the top of a bird bath filled with sand and fireplace ashes. Is it better to put it inside the small run so they have access to it every day, or could i put it outside and hope they use it when I let them out? Must it be on the ground, or could they get up to it if i left the basin on its pedestal? Thanks!

 

[Chicks Galore3]

If your run is dirt, they'll probably dust in there. If they have dirt of any sort anywhere, they will dust. If they have a flower pot with dirt in it, they will dust. Even if it has your chamomile plant in there that was finally thriving.

ANWAY, I think I would put it in the run. My chickens tend to get mites the moment the can't dust bathe. I wouldn't put it on the pedestal, the ground would be best.

 

[torilovessmiles]

If your run is dirt, they'll probably dust in there. If they have dirt of any sort anywhere, they will dust. If they have a flower pot with dirt in it, they will dust. Even if it has your chamomile plant in there that was finally thriving.

ANWAY, I think I would put it in the run. My chickens tend to get mites the moment the can't dust bathe. I wouldn't put it on the pedestal, the ground would be best.

x2
I use a tire for a dusting pit

 

[Egghead_Jr]

A tire! What a pregnant idea for winter runs.

Once my electric fencing gets here later this week I'm going to see how all ash works. May be too fine so I'll just add some sand to desired effect. Vacillating between a kiddy pool with a hole in it (will add more holes) or an old wash basin so I can move the bathing pit when moving the fence. Turning into a overly rainy summer so likely will opt for the pool for drainage.

 

[claudiabruckert]

My chickens like to dust-bathe every day. They always look for clean soil. And they've never had mites which always surprises our vet.

 

[drymanhattan]

Well then I need to ask at what age do they start dust bathing? I've had my 5-month old pullets a week now and haven't noticed any flapping, which is what I assumed it would be. What should I be looking for, and when?

 

[torilovessmiles]

Well then I need to ask at what age do they start dust bathing? I've had my 5-month old pullets a week now and haven't noticed any flapping, which is what I assumed it would be. What should I be looking for, and when?

My broody hen has had her chicks dust bathing since they were like a week old. They just scratch at the dirt and roll around in it

 

[junebuggena]

I had 2 week old chicks dust bathing.

 

[torilovessmiles]

Here is a video of my rooster dust bathing (ignore the coal truck sound in the background)
http://websta.me/p/939154904487443815_1737195654

 

[drymanhattan]

Thanks, nothing beats a visual! It would seem that it's not a good idea for me to be hurling in too much wet stuff. I was going to basically make the run a compost pile. I see they need a fair amount of space to be dry and dusty. So many activities to squeeze into a small area!