Suggestions for Best Dust Bath for Chicks

[HybridChickenMama]

So I am new to raising my own chickens from incubated eggs. I read that I should introduce a dust bath around 3 weeks old. Mine are going on 4 weeks, I have a flock of 6. I have definitely looked into various types like volcanic ash, wood ash, sand etc. and too many different brands.

So, I’m hoping some more experienced folks can direct me to the best one to use for baby chicks, that isn’t going to break the bank and is easy to clean since I still have mine inside.

 

[nuthatched]

Peet moss and local dirt.
Skip the ashes, DE and sand.

 

[SilverBirds]

Go outside and dig up a clump of earth and put it in a large dish. Helps build up their immune system. No need to add anything extra fancy.

 

[Perris]

further to the last, while it's fresh and (presumably) damp, it'll give them something to explore and sample the microlife living in and on it (which is a very good thing for them to do; primes their immune system and nourishes them), and as it dries out it and they break it up, it will turn into their dust bath.

 

[HybridChickenMama]

Peet moss and local dirt.
Skip the ashes, DE and sand.

Thank you! Should I take dirt from my yard or buy some? I live in Colorado so our yard dies in winter but I don’t necessarily want to introduce too many germs/bacteria to them, so I’m not sure.

 

[nuthatched]

Thank you! Should I take dirt from my yard or buy some? I live in Colorado so our yard dies in winter but I don’t necessarily want to introduce too many germs/bacteria to them, so I’m not sure.

Your yard dirt is fine

 

[FrostRanger]

Personally I like to start introducing mine to my yard's dirt when they're a few days old so they can build up their immune system. If they were with their mama she would be taking them outside at around that time too. Obviously you don't want them to be in unsanitary conditions but reasonable exposure to the germs they're going to be around on a day to day basis is good for them

 

[rosemarythyme]

Should I take dirt from my yard or buy some? I live in Colorado so our yard dies in winter but I don’t necessarily want to introduce too many germs/bacteria to them

Dirt from the yard is preferable (especially from the run location, if there is a run). You do actually want to expose them to the existing bacteria in the area so they build up immunity to it, though generally I'd recommend doing it earlier rather than later.

 

[HybridChickenMama]

Dirt from the yard is preferable (especially from the run location, if there is a run). You do actually want to expose them to the existing bacteria in the area so they build up immunity to it, though generally I'd recommend doing it earlier rather than later.

We are currently letting the ground dry up some, thanks to our lovely Colorado weather that does what it wants lol! But the plan is to get the run/cage set up and concreted into the ground Thursday. Then I think I’ll feel more comfortable with them in their run to enjoy the dirt.

I’m borderline paranoid about bird flu since we have tons of Canadian geese that come to Colorado in winter. I know there’s folks on YouTube that let theirs free range and none have gotten sick, but I’m the better safe than sorry type of person.

Do you think that particular virus could be in the dirt from outside?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you think that particular virus could be in the dirt from outside?

If it's there it's most likely still going to be there when you move them out anyhow. They need to move outside at some point.