Dust bath for chooks

[bussinspain]

I would like to know what is the best dust bathing substance for my hens please. They are not allowed out any more because of the canines near by but they used to love digging holes underneath our olive trees and having a good old flap around in the resulting dust. Do I just shovel some of the dry soil into a box in their pen or use something else. We have an abundance of wood ash - is that any good for them?

[Scarlet]

Yes, wood ash, dirt and/or sand will all do the job. You can put it in a plastic cat litter tray. It's also a good idea to add mite powder/diatom to this.

[bussinspain]

Yes, wood ash, dirt and/or sand will all do the job. You can put it in a plastic cat litter tray. It's also a good idea to add mite powder/diatom to this.

Brilliant news - thanks Scarlet! At least I can recycle some of the wood ash now. At present 99% of it goes around the olive trees etc., and a few handfuls around my garlic, leeks and onions. And I just happen to have a container for it

[veggiechicken]

I use wood ash too - the chooks seem to enjoy it!

[Bigmallly]

Make sure you remove any nails or screws................

[glyn]

mally you clearly burn the same as me when i can get my hands on it a welders magnet on a string works a treat

[Scarlet]

I'm using conker wood at the moment...no nails or screws in that

[Bigmallly]

mally you clearly burn the same as me when i can get my hands on it a welders magnet on a string works a treat

I started burning some old timber last week so stripped down a couple of old speakers for the magnets.........works a treat.

[bussinspain]

Make sure you remove any nails or screws................

No nails etc., in our olive, almond and fruit wood thank goodness I have put some semi-rotted and dried pine tree debris (needles and bits) under the roosting perch though, and straw in the nesting area.

[kathyd]

I'm sure I read somewhere that wood ash is good as long as it doesn't get wet, because the water turns it acid? alkaline? something or other anyway, when it's not so good for the chooks... I use wood ash too, but it's under cover in one of those blue shell shaped padding pools. I may be remembering all wrong of course (it's an age thing!), but might be worth checking out? xx

[Neilbaldwyn]

I've just bought some diatomaceous earth to make them a dust bath with as it apparently kills all parasites without harming the chooks. It dessicates the little bugs and any eggs; supposed to be good for worming as well if you get the food grade stuff and add it to their grain.