Wood ash..?

[FlyWheel]

Note to Mods: I wasn't sure where to best post it so it is also in Predators and Pests. If this is a no-no please feel free to delete the extra thread. Thanks.

I'm making a dust bath in my run because the floor is wire netting so they cannot make their own. I've heard that wood ash is a good additive, but where would I get some? Is it sold anywhere? I know I could always burn some wood to make my own but I really would rather not, as my IPF has made me rather leery about exposing myself to the smoke.

 

[azygous]

Do you know any friends with fireplaces or wood stoves? That would be one way to obtain the ash. You want pure wood ash, not ash from burning garbage or trash, although newspaper is all right. Sift out the big wood chunks before installing it in the dirt bath.

Chickens will consume some of the dirt bathing material and it's important not to have ash from burning plastics or other toxic material. You would be surprised what some people toss into their fireplaces.

It isn't required, though, to add wood ash to a dirt bath. Peat moss, fine sand, clean soil will all work.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've never known of wood ash sold anywhere. You could probably google it.
I have an old style stone barbecue pit and a fire pit so I can and do burn a lot of wood for dust baths.
Just don't use ashes from barbecue pits that have cooked meat. The fats from meat and sugars from sauces will likely stick to feathers.

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

I suggest looking @ garden center places for "biochar", which is the idea.

 

[FlyWheel]

Biochar (I looked it up) is charcoal, I want ash. Thanks anyway.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I wonder if there's anyone on here who's local to you who has a wood stove or outdoor fire pit. Maybe post your local board?

 

[CatWhisperer]

Put a request on Craigslist.

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

Can you pulverize the biochar to ash before you open the Bag, and then slowly let it out?

 

[Steven Bussell]

They sell 100 % wood charcoal. No chemicals.
You can crush it to be as fine as you want. I have used it and I do have a fireplace .

 

[azygous]

As an aside, be aware that wood charcoal is beneficial to chickens and they do ingest some of the charcoal bits sometimes. When they do, their poop shows up tar black. Do not freak out if you see this. It's normal.

Things chickens eat can add some startling color to their poop such as purple cabbage turning their poop magenta.