Sand-bath

[Elly]

Do the chickens need a sand bath in the winter time?

Can I make one in the corner of my coop useing cat litter in a large litter box ?

 

[Chickenaddict]

Yes in my eyes they do but i definately wouldn't use cat litter. Mix food grade DE with play sand in a container in the run or coop. I keep mine in the run less mess in the coop that way.

 

[Elly]

Sorry to sound dumb, but what is "food grade DE"

I live in southern Ont. so get plenty of snow, would this make a mess in the box...do you leave it out all the time or just a few times a week.

Thanks

 

[Riocotesei]

How big should a dust box be? I have 25 chickens. Also, what if it rains alot and the sand is all goopy shouldn't it be in the coop?

I just learned about DE too. It's ok

It's short for Diatomaceous earth
theres a current thread on here about it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=81651

Sorry you have to cut and paste...I can't do it the other way

 

[Riocotesei]

...lol I guess it did work! Sorry double post!

 

[spatcher]

You dont need a dust box! All those holes your chickens dig (unless mine are the only ones) is sufficient. Put sand and DE in the holes and let them do their thing. To answer the other question, check out www.freshwaterorganics.com/what_is_de.htm

 

[Elly]

My coop has a wooden floor and in the winter my outdoor run for them would be frozen and covered in snow...not too many spots for them too make a dustbath.

I think in my area (southern Ont.) an indoor dust bath would be better.

Wouldn't just plan old sand box sand work?

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Sand box sand works great. We have very heavy clay here and it doesn't make a very good dust bath. The flower beds have all kinds of nice things added to lighten the soil, though, so they go dust bathe there!

We also get a lot of rain here. So, mine have a dust bath in the covered section of their run to keep it dry and another that I provided out in the yard, to keep them out of the flower beds.

 

[Tweeza]

I know someone who purchased a kids turtle sand box. It has a lid so she can close it to keep the rain out.

 

[kinnip]

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