Is the ground dirt just as ggod as sand for a dust bath?

[MaLoTu]

I read that great article on the home page here about mites. I have pine shavings in my run area. The pine shavings are fairly shallow and the chickens have dug into the actual dirt/soil and seem to be content dust bathing in that. Is that equivalent to sand for the purposes of treating/ preventing mites and lice?

Are there other suggestions?

I have a exterminator service that sprays our property once every quarter ... does anyone know if they can treat for these types of pests?

 

[Zinniah]

I read that great article on the home page here about mites. I have pine shavings in my run area. The pine shavings are fairly shallow and the chickens have dug into the actual dirt/soil and seem to be content dust bathing in that. Is that equivalent to sand for the purposes of treating/ preventing mites and lice?

Are there other suggestions?

I have a exterminator service that sprays our property once every quarter ... does anyone know if they can treat for these types of pests?

I think sand would work a lot better as it is more abrasive. You could also add a little bit of DE ( Diatomaceous Earth) it is very useful against mites, ants ,etc. Be careful with it. as its bad for lungs, very bad.

 

[MaLoTu]

Could I just use the sand right over the top soil and then put pine shavings over? Can I use the chick grit mixture (sand and oyster shells)? It seems like they are pretty crafty about getting to what they need. How do you use DE and where do you get it?

 

[Zinniah]

Could I just use the sand right over the top soil and then put pine shavings over? Can I use the chick grit mixture (sand and oyster shells)? It seems like they are pretty crafty about getting to what they need. How do you use DE and where do you get it?

Sure, you can do it that way. I don't know about the oyster shells, but I don't see why not. I get my DE at my feed store, and I just sprinkle it on the ground and on the coop floor.

 

[speckledhen]

Dirt works just fine, doesn't have to be abrasive just not hard packed clay or you'd have to spade it up. They'll get it through their feathers with no trouble.

DE is fine for killing soft bodied bugs in their feed and nest boxes, sometimes, mix it into the shavings under the roosts when it's particularly damp outside. You may get it at some feed stores, HOWEVER, you must be 100% sure it is FOOD GRADE, not pool grade stuff. The latter is poison. I don't put DE outside, normally, only in nests or keep it to dust birds who are unable to dustbathe outside for some reason.

Mine love the powdery dirt next to my house when they free range, but they make their own dust holes wherever they are.