making a dust bathing area what do i do

[chickenmama109]

hi I have a flock of 12 11 hens 1 rooster

I want to make a dust bathing area but I don't know what kind of dirt to use


thanks to all help

 

[Honeybee22]

My backyard has the perfect dirt for dust baths... Or at least the neighborhood birds think so. There's little finch divet everywhere.

Our dirt is fine and loose dirt. Horrible for growing anything sinces there's no organic material in it at all, but the chickens love it.

Interestingly enough, I read on the wikipedia that birds will dust bathe in any loose substrate if the dusty and fine dirt isn't available. I guess that's why I saw my Amber White trying to dust bathe in the grass one day. Guess she didn't feel like making the hike over to the dirt.

I wonder if play sand would work if you don't have any dirt just laying around.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You can use all sorts of stuff.... folks use sand, dirty, wood ash, peat moss.... the list goes on and on.

 

[cavemanrich]

I have all sort of dirt areas around available. The girls use them at their free will. (including my fire pit ashes). I did notice their favorite is my large flower pots with potting soil. These are pots that are not occupied at the time with growing plants. They just go gaga over it... If you get potting soil, don't opt for the Miracle Grow Fertilizer Enhanced. (BTW Excellent for growing flowers) Just grab the basic cheaper bag.
WISHING YOU BEST

 

[chickenmama109]

thank you

 

[rosemarythyme]

I just get a bag of peat moss and toss it into my chicken bath pit (a small raised garden bed).

 

[aart]

If they have access to the bare ground, they'll make their own.
If the ground is still covered in vegetation,
just dig out some of said vegetation with a shovel and they'll take care of the rest.