Newbie question: dust bath for my hens

[bryan99705]

I had not thought about the ashes but I have a firepit in the lot where the chickens range and they all seem attracted to the ashes so a kitty litter box with dusty dirt and ash may be the trick, just keep it dry otherwise you'll have skinny legged mudballs running around

 

[BantamoftheOpera]

Quote:
Mine started dust bathing in the grass/dirt at 3 weeks old when I got them

 

[alaina]

what about diatomacious earth (sp)? Anyone use this to help with worms and mites for dust baths? I have a friend who swears by it??

 

[ContessaKris]

I'm curious about this. We plan to have a chicken trailer to put the chickens in during the day. Will moving around to different grassy areas be enough for them to dust bathe or do we need to add an extra pan/area of something each time we move the trailer? We'll have a permanent area in their permanent coop.

 

[rapunzel162]

I would never use any kind of BBQ material to give my chickadees a dust bath. I have used a big shallow planter for small chicks and my hens took it over. I put a bit of sand, wood ash,dirt, and some poultry powder to keep lice off of them. YES chickens get lice. I used to sheep dip my large flock 2 times a year. Also a spray with mouthwash can keep any bird pest free. (I usedto be known as the Oalaska Chicken lady. And I had a 150 parrots. My birds always stayed healthy and happy. Have you ever fed your chickens leftover spagetti ? Its funny, they think its worms. Once in a while I stick a few yogurts in the coop. its good for them. Have fun, feed them leftovers even with meat. Its good protien for them. Now ... Chehalis chicken lady with a few babys.(gettin too old)

 

[Dee Montano]

I got a good laugh from the "seizure" comment. I can sure see how you would wonder what happened to your chicken, turned over, flapping - gee, but once you know how they love it, it's so much fun to watch them

 

[Cassie3452]

My 3 hens have eaten every blade of grass,weed, etc...so under the hay, it's just loose dirt...and my oh my...do they love to scratch and get in the loose dirt and dig...burrow down and roll...they make sure the dirt is all distributed in their feathers and then shake...very fun and entertaining to watch...I think it helps with fleas or mites...just like my horses...they will roll in the loose dirt/sand and it keeps flies off them...

 

[flrn]

I was wondering the same thing about the ashes. I can't see how it would be harmful to the girls though.