How soon can I add a dust bath?

[ZooAtHome]

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.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Missbc]

I put a small box with dirt in at about a week.

 

[Ryback530]

Nice I was wondering that myself!

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I changed to just a bin of plain old dirt, they love it.

 

[blackdog043]

You can add a dust bath now.

 

[15WildTurkey]

I gave mine a tub of sand at about a week. They bathe and it doubles as grit.

 

[Ryback530]

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

 

[ZooAtHome]

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

I've read in multiple places that it helps with parasites like mites, lice, etc. I'm a new chicken owner though, so I can't testify as to whether it actually works or not.

 

[Ryback530]

I've read in multiple places that it helps with parasites like mites, lice, etc. I'm a new chicken owner though, so I can't testify as to whether it actually works or not.

That's what I've read as well so I'm confused as to why a lot of people don't use it. Personal preference or environment maybe. I plan to use it, gonna put together a bath for them today. I took them outside to "play" and all 4 were dust bathing in the dry dirt lol

 

[ZooAtHome]

That's what I've read as well so I'm confused as to why a lot of people don't use it. Personal preference or environment maybe. I plan to use it, gonna put together a bath for them today. I took them outside to "play" and all 4 were dust bathing in the dry dirt lol

We have a pellet stove which provides us with ash throughout winter. I figured, since I have it, might as well try it. I only added a bit though.