How to make a dust bath?

[newchickmom]

I got a little wading pool for my hens, so I can make them a place to dust bathe in their run in the summer, and in their hen house in the winter.

What would you recommend filling it with?

I will also sprinkle some DE in it for them.

 

[FalcoSparverius]

Our chickens made their own dustbath with regular dirt.

Ask not why the chicken crossed the road, but why the road got in the way of the chicken.

 

[the lemon tree]

I filled a tub with play sand I got at Home Depot with some DE mixed in.

 

[teach1rusl]

Okay...hate to share my ignorance...but what is DE??? I've seen it all over this site...thanks!

 

[the lemon tree]

Quote:
Diatomaceous Earth. It's essentially ground up fossils of hard-shelled algae (diatoms). People here usually use it (only the food-grade DE!!!) to kill bugs as it dries up their exoskeleton and add to feed since it's a great dewormer for your chickens, dogs, cats, husband, etc. It has a ton of good uses and benefits. If you Google it or just search for DE on this forum, you'll get lots of info.

 

[newchickmom]

My reasoning for this is, hopefully,

they will not dig so many holes in their run (and anywhere else they feel like).

 

[BBK]

I just put a pile of peat moss in the middle of their run, they kick it around and then they all and I mean all 12 of'em try to sit in the middle of it...it's quite funny to watch!
But, they love it....

melinda

 

[2DogsFarm]

I used peat moss too - because I had it on hand.

My yard isn't fenced yet and my girls get limited free-range time.
So I put an old wooden fruit crate in the coop and filled it about halfway with the peat moss.

It doesn't make a big mess and they love scrabbling around in it - they get into some funny-looking positions that scared Newbie-me at first, but now I just watch them spaz around in the crate.

From reading on here, I plan to make them a sandbox when I can leave them in a fenced-in yard all day.

 

[chickenannie]

I use half sand, and half fine dirt (or, just regular dirt). Then add some DE. That should do it.

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

I mix in a bit of sawdust with dirt for their dustbath and they all seem to like it!