How soon can I add a dust bath?

[paneubert]

Anybody know the purpose of the wood ash? I've seen on these forums a lot of people that don't use it

It is super fine particles. Helps dry out/dislodge/smoother bugs. Think about how well wood ash and wood soot/charcoal stains your hands and clothing. That is due to the small particle size. The white ash is also still great for this as well. Also, a significant component of ash is actually the minerals left over from the wood after burning. So that helps as well. They are dusting in a good mineral mix.

"Wood ashes contain all the mineral elements that were in the wood. Potassium, calcium, and magnesium carbonate or oxides are present in comparatively large quantities giving the ashes a strongly alkaline reaction which can neutralize acid soils. ... They also contain 25 to 50 percent calcium compounds."

https://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/fertilization_Woodashes.pdf

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have chicks that range, I think, from about 1 1/2 to 3 weeks. I'm using pine pellets in the brooder and they are digging down to the dust so they can bathe. I want to give them some dirt from their future run mixed with a little wood ash from our pellet stove, maybe even include a dandelion for them to nibble on, but I didn't know if they were too young. These are my very first chicks.

This pic shows both the oldest and youngest chicks. The two little Maran crosses just barely had wing feathers peeking out when I got them about a week ago.
View attachment 1743336
Thanks in advance!

I would give them a small tub now
Within the first week mine have dirt/ash/sand and a plug of sod.
Chick grit first thing, you can also sprinkle a little into your dirt mix. As they get older, provide a bigger tub.

 

[Ryback530]

It is super fine particles. Helps dry out/dislodge/smoother bugs. Think about how well wood ash and wood soot/charcoal stains your hands and clothing. That is due to the small particle size. The white ash is also still great for this as well. Also, a significant component of ash is actually the minerals left over from the wood after burning. So that helps as well. They are dusting in a good mineral mix.

"Wood ashes contain all the mineral elements that were in the wood. Potassium, calcium, and magnesium carbonate or oxides are present in comparatively large quantities giving the ashes a strongly alkaline reaction which can neutralize acid soils. ... They also contain 25 to 50 percent calcium compounds."

https://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/fertilization_Woodashes.pdf

Nice thanks for the info