How old for their first DE dustbath??

[Autumn Mama]

My first set of chicks are now about 5-6 weeks old, and soon will be in their new coop. I am getting them outdoors every day for a few hours and they LOVE IT!!! I would also like to get them a dustbath set-up, and am planning to use either all foodgrade DE or a mixture of DE and some sand. Are they old enough for a full-on dustbath? I think they'll love it!

What kind of sand is best? How much in a ratio of DE to sand? What size vessel will work?

I am planning to add this to their outdoor time, and they can use it in their run eventually...

Open to any ideas, thanks!!!

 

[debilorrah]

I gave them a bowl of dirt at 4 weeks. They loved it!!!!! Made a huge mess and had a blast.

 

[serinat]

my chicks are four weeks old, and i just caught them dust bathing in a little pit they dug in their chicken tractor run. about 12 of them were fighting for the little hole of dirt. it was hilarious.

 

[tellynpeep]

My ONE week-old chick was trying to dust bath in the brooder shavings this morning. So cute.... I'll get her some real dust!

 

[Autumn Mama]

So, I'm interested to know what age is good to introduce chicks (mine are 5 weeks old) to a DE (diotomaceous earth ) dustbath mixed with sand?

I'll ask again, hoping to hear from someone who has already done this with DE. Thanks!!!