The Poultry Keeper The Independent Forum for Poultry Keepers    FAQ   Search     Register   Log in  Dust bath          The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Feeding and Housing Author Message Bhindi Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 1536 Location: Rugby, Warwickshire Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:16 pm    Post subject: Dust bath Do any of you have an opinion as to what makes the best kind of dust bath. Up to now my girls have been free range and so have chosen their best places themselves, Should I put a mix of sand with the soil, and if so which kind. .. play sand , silver sand, kiln dried... theres so many, .. I'm sure they would all be ok.. but which is best (if any) Thanks Claire Back to top summayah Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:06 am    Post subject: Sorry, I have no idea, mine have all chosen to do it under the fir trees where the soil is very dry. Hopefully someone with the answer will be along soon. Back to top debcat Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 8466 Location: Isle of Lewis Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:18 am    Post subject: I use sand from the beach but they prefer the ash bucket Back to top CP Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 15000 Location: Hampshire Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:27 am    Post subject: We have play sand mixed with some shavings & compost, but they still prefer my flower beds! Back to top summayah Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:36 pm    Post subject: I think they normally pick ther own spot. I've heard of people making all kinds of nice dust baths for the girls with covers and everything and the girls still go back to where they had it in the first place. Hope yours are more obliging! Back to top Bhindi Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 1536 Location: Rugby, Warwickshire Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:23 pm    Post subject: This is for their new coop, and having picked the sunniest spot for them ..(with roof) Im hoping they have no choice but to use mine... even if I have to make every other area undesirable I'm determined they will use it.... it could be war Back to top Diane Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 271 Location: Dorset Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:46 pm    Post subject: I bet they win Back to top Spana Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2074 Location: North Cornwall Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:00 pm    Post subject: Ive made a dust bath for chicks in one of my brooders and they love it. I use ordinary sand which I dry in the oven in an old tray. I love to see tiny chicks dust bathing, how do they know how to do it? Back to top richard Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:46 pm    Post subject: I also made a dustbath for my chooks. I filled it with kiln dried sand. They used to take a dustbath in dry soil now they've started using their sand pit so they must approve of it. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Feeding and Housing All times are GMT + 1 Hour Page 1 of 1 Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group