What type of dirt to buy to put in a bin for a dust bath?

[cajunlizz]

OK FORGIVEN .

 

[chickenbike]

I have food grade DE and have been using it in their loft area of the chicken ark. I don't know how much DE to use, but I've been sprinkling it around with a stainless steel shaker fitted with a mesh/sifting top cap. I purchased it at a kitchen store.

It is down in their lower run area that I wanted to build/put a dust bath area. The ark is moved around our yard and placed on to fresh lawn every couple of weeks so I wanted to provide them a really nice, proper dust bath area.

I like the idea of play sand. Where do you purchase it? Wal Mart, farmer's supply store or elsewhere? How much DE would you add to say a cat litter pan size of sand?

 

[FloridaChickenChick]

I took all 12 of my girls outside yesterday in a temporary pen. About 4 of them IMMEDIATELY started bathing in the sand under a palm tree. They were so cute, and obviously enjoying themselves! They were really into it, very enthusiastic bathers!

It was just good ole Florida sand. No shortage of that, thank goodness!

 

[HenniePennie]

I let my girls free range in the backyard [200' x 100'] and they take their dirt baths in my flower bed up next to the foundation of the house where it is always cool.
They are hilarious to watch. My mom thought the dog had dug out all along the foundation until I told her it was the girls dirt bathing.

Silly silly chickens!!

 

[ravenfeathers]

Quote:
you can definitely get it at wal*mart, in blue and pink even, if you're so inclined. most farm/garden places also have it as well as craft stores.

 

[mylilchix]

Someone had mentioned letting their chickens take dust baths in ashes. Is this safe to do? We really on our fireplace for heat in the winter, so we've got tons of ashes.

Thanks, Sonja

 

[PoultryPedia]

Hardware stores often have play sand and paving sand. I do buy the paving sand for grit, but I think chickens would much prefer play sand for dust bathing.

 

[WikkitGateFarm]

Buy?
Dirt?
Seriously?

Go outside and look down, the whole ground is covered with the stuff!

I know I'm a bit of a radical do-it-yourself type, but might I suggest buying a shovel?

 

[chickenbike]

I bet the Florida sand is great stuff.....I love the image of a chicken dust bathing under a palm tree.....definitely not something I'd see here! I agree it is too funny watching the whole process.....my husband and I call it "very imiportant chicken things" whenever one of us asks the other what the girls are up to.

I've no idea if ashes are safe or not. The chickens might smell like a fire though.....bears may smell that as BBQ chicken!

I'll check out a few stores about sand after I have a look at the sand at some lakeside beaches.

 

[ravenfeathers]

Quote:
LOL, i'm with you, but i know other folks have different needs or preferences.