Will ashes hurt the chickens??

[mom_to3cuties]

We are preparing the spot for the coop and run. It is close to the house at the edge of the woods. We wanted it to be sheltered from the sun a bit. Hubby raked all the leaves and brush and then burnt it all off. Will the burnt leaves and such hurt them?

 

[eggchel]

I dont think that it will hurt them, Ive even heard of people putting wood ash in the chickens dusting spots to help control parasites.


chel

 

[kstaven]

Wood ash works great under the bedding for stopping mites and other parasites. Do it in all my coops. The only issue is with white birds. Their feathers get a little gray.

 

[mom_to3cuties]

thanks!

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

I have actually seen chickens dust bathe in fire pits they seem to really like it. It is probably good for keeping them clean of pest.

 

[Oaknim]

Ours routinely play in our ash pile, which is next to the compost pile. They'll scratch around for bugs in the compost pile, then dust themselves afterwards in the ash pile --- sending a veil of grey across the yard, making me think something's on fire. What's really funny is when the black hens emerge from the ashes looking like weird little ghosts. The goats don't recognize them for some reason and spend quite a bit of time staring then running away, then coming back to stare, then run away again, bleating in fear. Idiots.

~ Oaknim

 

[chknman79]

Oaknim - I bet that is funny. LOL

 

[Oaknim]

It's pretty funny, but at the same time - these goats are smart enough to open latches to gates, climb all types of fencing, time when the wind will blow the barn door open just enough for them to squeeze through and eat all the alfalfa...to watch them be completely terrified of little grey ghost chickens, it makes me think, "Gawd, you're stupid."

~ Oaknim