How old before dust bathing?

[Rosey516]

HI everyone , tithe girls love being outside they are almost 4 weeks I throw all the herbs I'm growing in the run with them and they love it .. I also put a nice price of watermelon and they go crazy.. I have pine in coop and sand in run.. Should I throw grit or diatomaceous earth in the run ? Do I put the DE right over the sand?

 

[Pork Pie]

This link should be helpful to you

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/891051/the-science-of-feeding-grit-to-poultry

CT

 

[Rosey516]

Thank you..will put grit in today..

 

[Pork Pie]

 

[Sabrina24]

I thought pine wasn't safe for bird bedding?

 

[ladynewtochicks]

I thought pine wasn't safe for bird bedding?

Cedar is what is unsafe for birds and small animals, pine is safe

 

[JodyJo]

Pine is absolutely fine for your chickens....its all I use. If they have access to dirt, they should be getting enough grit....they have sand too...not sure you need the grit at all.

 

[Choco Maran]

If they are outside on dirt they will not need grit. They will pick up enough little pebbles and sand. No need for extra grit. As far as D Earth just sprinkle all over the ground it will help a lot. They will dust bath in it as well as pick it up and eat it.

 

[realsis]

One of Mine actually went through the actions of dust bathing in my lap at two weeks old. The rest picked up shortly after in the pine shavings. Now my girls are big ( hatched April 11th) and dust bathe in real dirt of their run. They especially love to do it in early morning sun.

 

[Sabrina24]

Cedar is what is unsafe for birds and small animals, pine is safe

That's right. Sorry and thank you!