wood ash, is that safe?

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I dump my ash into the run and they love to bathe in it. I just put it in a spot they'd already hollowed out themselves. You do want to be sure to put it somewhere it'll stay DRY though. If that stuff gets wet, it turns into an almost paste like consistency and is a mess!

 

[philipchickymad]

My dad burns coal, paper and all sorts of natural wood in the stove but he also uses petrol to light the fire, is that ok for the hens to bathe in?????

 

[crazyhen]

I would not use petroleum type ash. No coal or gas products. I would stick with the wood ash only. I would use and do, the wood ash in the run in a place that stays dry for them to dust in. I would not use it inside, to much dust for them to breathe later.

 

[pdirt]

My dad burns coal, paper and all sorts of natural wood in the stove but he also uses petrol to light the fire, is that ok for the hens to bathe in?????

Yeah, I wouldn't use those ashes, if I were in your shoes. The paper and wood are fine (assuming it's just paper and not plastic-coated papers or boxes, like most packaged foods come in), but the coal and petrol will leave toxic residues. If you want clean ashes, clean out the stove (vacuuming it out when stone cold would be best) and burn some plain paper/newspaper and wood and use those ashes. You might need several fires to get enough ashes to make it worth using.

 

[crazyhen]

With the ink I do not think I would use paper . Use leaves or wood only to get the ashes.

 

[whittychick]

I have a woodstove, I burn wood but start it with newspaper. It's bad to let the chickens bathe in that?

 

[calumhood]

Works for mine!

 

[crazyhen]

I have a woodstove, I burn wood but start it with newspaper. It's bad to let the chickens bathe in that?

Most of the ink used now is vegetable based, I had forgotten that. They are very usable.

 

[whittychick]

I thought so! Thanks

 

[yyz0yyz0]

also I would guess that if the paper is only used for starting, the percentage of paper/ink ash to wood ash will low enough that it shouldn't be a problem. I've been using woodstove ash for several years now in my dust bath.