Is a dust bath necessary if you have a deep litter coop?

[AmyJane725]

Wow, another anti-DE post. This is why I ask questions, ESPECIALLY when I am certain I already know everything. Turns out you guys have brought up many good points that I had not considered or read about.

I already have the mixer tub, the sand, dirt, and access to wood ash. So maybe I'll just start with that and if it works to keep the parasites away without the DE. If so, I'll just leave it at that.

Sounds like you have all the perfect ingredients for a parasite killing good time.

And yes, never stop asking questions. You'll be amazed the things you learn.

 

[gtaus]

My dust bath is only sand right now and I don't think they even use it. They just roost on the edges of the pan.

When I had my chicks in the brooder, I started providing them a simple sand dust bath in a small tray around week 2. They loved it. I moved them out to the coop a couple weeks ago at week 8, and they have not had a dedicated dust bath since. They have a 13x13 run outside, but so far they are making their own dust baths in the wood chips deep litter inside the coop. I was just thinking about making a better dust bath setup for them since I already have a nice cement mixer tub, sand, dirt, etc.... The only thing I did not have was the DE, and turns out that lots of suggest not using it anyway. That's fine with me. Anytime I don't have to buy something is a win for me. Thanks.

 

[Shadrach]

Dust bathing for chickens isn't really about mite and lice eradication.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-chickens-bath-in-dust-and-not-in-water.74441/

 

[AmyJane725]

Dust bathing for chickens isn't really about mite and lice eradication.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-chickens-bath-in-dust-and-not-in-water.74441/

I think OP knows it's for soaking up excess oil and stuff too, but parasite control is also a factor to consider.

 

[gtaus]

And yes, never stop asking questions. You'll be amazed the things you learn.

Well, this is my first year with laying hens, so I am learning a lot. I hope to never stop asking questions and considering better ways to do things. Observe and adjust....

 

[AmyJane725]

When I had my chicks in the brooder, I started providing them a simple sand dust bath in a small tray around week 2. They loved it. I moved them out to the coop a couple weeks ago at week 8, and they have not had a dedicated dust bath since. They have a 13x13 run outside, but so far they are making their own dust baths in the wood chips deep litter inside the coop. I was just thinking about making a better dust bath setup for them since I already have a nice cement mixer tub, sand, dirt, etc.... The only thing I did not have was the DE, and turns out that lots of suggest not using it anyway. That's fine with me. Anytime I don't have to buy something is a win for me. Thanks.

My chicks were "dust" bathing all the time in their brooder. They used the pine shavings, in the dish of grit I put out for them he), but now that they're out in the run they don't really show much interest? I can't figure them out.

 

[AmyJane725]

Well, this is my first year with laying hens, so I am learning a lot. I hope to never stop asking questions and considering better ways to do things. Observe and adjust....

That's a fantastic attitude for life in general. Stay adaptable. Survival of the fittest ain't talkin' 'bout muscles

 

[gtaus]

Dust bathing for chickens isn't really about mite and lice eradication.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-chickens-bath-in-dust-and-not-in-water.74441/

What? I thought is was all about mite and lice eradication. At least the DE part of it. Thanks for the link. I'm really learning a lot today.

 

[gtaus]

I think OP knows it's for soaking up excess oil and stuff too, but parasite control is also a factor to consider.

Actually, the only thing I was thinking about was parasite control. So I'm learning a lot today.

 

[AmyJane725]

Actually, the only thing I was thinking about was parasite control. So I'm learning a lot today.

I stand corrected. lol