Sand baths.

[sufferingnomad]

I'm making a sand bath for my chickens for them to keep clean. I would like to put diotamatious earth in with it to help with fleas, mites, and lice. Is it ok for the chickens health? Thanks, Lance.

 

[Whittni]

DE has become rather controversial In the past couple years. A charcoal pit mixed with sand will do just as well. (DE is really fine and can scar lungs, so you'll need a painters mask if working with it)

 

[sumi]

You could add some wood ashes to the sand to help keep bugs and pests and under control. It's a natural product, won't harm the birds and it works fairly well.

 

[DanEP]

Wood ashes work well. Just a side note I have had better luck with 1 part sand and 1 part soil, with straight sand some of the chickens won't use it but add a little soil seems to make everybody happy.