[chelseablue]

hi

we should be getting our chickens tomorrow so will post some pics, the new husband has built the coop and run and it looks lovely chooks should love it

my question is what is the best substance to use in a dust bath, somebody today suggested ash but we are not too sure about that, we were going to use builders sand but any advice would be greatly appreciated

pauline and rich  

[Bodger]

Wood ash is fine ( no pun meant) as long as you can keep it dry.

[Selkie]

its nice to just let them make their own dustbaths if that's possible; ours have made several in their run - always just big enough for one hen though they both try to squash in and end up fluffing dirt over both of them!

good luck with your hens, keep us posted!

[Aunt Sally]

I just keep a deep tub of old JI type compost in their run.  I add some Diatom to help with passengers  

[muntjac]

I just keep a deep tub of old JI type compost in their run.  I add some Diatom to help with passengers  

 mix a bit sharp sand in it ,,,,,, also " werked for me "

[ness]

In my quest to keep my chooks happy I made a dust bath out of a cat litter tray and some sand.  The chooks prefer the flower bed maybe something to do with the grumpy rabbit thats taken up residence in it!

He thinks he's at the beach  :roll:

[Selkie]

ness, that's one evil looking rabbit!

[chickychick]

I provided a deep plastic tray for dustbathing and put old dry potting compost in it.

They loved it but soon emptied it out slinging it all over etc they then dug a hole in the ground and made their own dustbath which they use when ever it is dry.  I threw a bit of sand in it and some diatom to help them out.  I think the self dug ones are better really cause they expand it as they like and quite often you get three chickens squeezed in there quite happily.

[chelseablue]

we have dug a hole and put an old sink in there and put some sand and diatom in it no doubt in time they will dig their own dust bath

thanks for all the advice, we have the chickens now picked up 10 today will post some pics once I get done

pauline  

[Selkie]

yay!!! new hens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my next project is to try and persuade peter to let me get another pair of hens (thinking about next year - it takes a loooong time to work him round to the idea, spesh now ours aren't laying)

[Aunt Sally]

I provided a deep plastic tray for dustbathing and put old dry potting compost in it.

I use a deep plastic tub rather than a tray.  Less splashes out then  

[princesspoultry]

My chickens take their dust bathes right in the dirt.And sometimes I use saw dust for them.

[Aunt Sally]

My chickens take their dust bathes right in the dirt.And sometimes I use saw dust for them.

Mine dust bath in the flower beds, but when they are shut in their run which is covered in bark chunks they have their deep tub full of dirt to thrash around in  

[Shazzer]

mine have made their own bath in the dirt that doesn't get wet.  We have covered half of the run so its nice and dry for them.  They have scratched up several craters which I have sprinkled diatom into.

[Aunt Sally]

mine have made their own bath in the dirt that doesn't get wet.  We have covered half of the run so its nice and dry for them.  They have scratched up several craters which I have sprinkled diatom into.

Sounds perfect