Newbie in need of advice regarding dust baths

[Chui Cat]

With warm weather looming, I worry about keeping my 6 pullets comfortable. I've read that dust baths play an important part in summertime comfort. Is it okay to offer DE as a dustbath? i've heard it helps control insect pests and we will be using the deep litter method in the coop.

What does everyone else use for dust bath? thanks

 

[KellyHM]

As long as it's food grade DE it won't hurt them. Mine just come out and play in the sand.

 

[cposz]

We put a nice box of sand in their run, hoping they'd take a nice dustbath, and all they did was eat it. Then when we put the garden in, we threw a couple of shovels full of garden dirt in the corner of their run and after scratching around a bit to get it just right, they each took long dustbaths.

 

[vnploveschickens]

It can be dirt or play sand. You can mix a little DE in it.

These chickens have an absolute ball taking a dirt bath. They look like they are having convulsions, but they're just having a good ole time!