Don’t you take a shower or bath EVERY DAY!
A healthy and good smelling hen NEEDSto takea dust bath on a regular basis.Chances are if your bird stinks she does not have access to adust bath and if she doesn’t have access to a bath, the probability is higher that your flock will carry lice and mites.
For those of you that have watched chickens dust bathing, I think you will agree that it is not only comical, but shows your hens in the utmost state of contentedness.
During the act of dust bathing, chickens will do theirbest toget as much “dirt” as they can all over their bodies down to the base oftheir feathers. This in turn actually cleans the chicken (see ingredients below) and will asphyxiate any pests that may potentiallyprey on them.
Bathin’ in my garden!
If you let your hens free range and DON’T provide a dust bath in the coop/run, I guarantee that they WILL make a dust bathwhere your favorite plants are growing. If you do not let your hens free range, or they are limited to free ranging because of Winter conditions, than it is essential that they have access to a dust bath.The need isingrained in their behavior and essential to their personal health. So…… why not build a dust bath in your chicken run?
In order to get started, youwill need a container for the dust bath. I only have 3 hens and an old apple cratethat is around 12 “deep, 15″ wide and 24” long works well for this application. If you have a larger flock, you will need a larger container. I’ve seen kiddy pools used for this purpose and they appear to work well.
Next, you are going to need to fill the dust bathwith 4 essential ingredients. The 4 ingredients that you will need are:
1) Builder’s sand (don’t waste your money on the more expensive kid’s play sand).
2) Wood ash – I get the ash from my wood stove and take out the larger charcoal pieces with a cat litter scooper.
3) Soil – If you are purchasing soil, make sure it is fertilizer, chemical and vermiculite free.
4) Diatomaceous EarthMakesure it is FOOD -GRADE and not for use in pools. The bag MUST read For LIVESTOCK FEED. See more on Diatomaceous Earth in on following page.
Wood ash
Diatomaceous Earth
Sand, Soil & Swifer
Add equal parts of each ingredient to the mixture and top up when necessary. You will know that your hens are using the dust bath if:
1) You find some of the “bath” contents on the floor of the run.
2) You see them nestled up together in the crate throwing dirt on each other.
3) They are free ranging and suddenly shake from comb to feet and a cloud of dust emerges around your hen.
Honda demonstrating for you!
So……before it gets too cold or your chickens destroy your prized petunias, why not make them a dust bath. They’ll thank you with being vermin free and consistently giving you all the eggs that they are capable of laying.
FAQs
You can use any proportions that you like but a good rule of thumb is to use 40% sand, 20% soil, 20% wood shavings , 10% wood ash and charcoal, 5% dry herbs and 5% Bugs Away . Place the dust bath in your chosen spot and let your chickens enjoy it.
What is the best mix for chicken dust bath? ›
What dirt is best in my chicken dust bath?
- Dirt or sand.
- Diatomaceous earth powder.
- Wood or fire ash.
- Herbs, if desired.
Construction grade sand can also be called all-purpose sand, contractor's sand, or multipurpose sand. Basically, you want coarse sand that is not super fine since fine sand can lead to impacted crop when ingested. Do not use play sand in the chicken coop or in the dust bath since it is often treated with chemicals.
What is the best container for a chicken dust bath? ›
Once you have gathered your supplies, the next step is selecting a container for your indoor dust bath. A kiddie pool or galvanized tub can be used if you have one available; otherwise, any large wooden crate or plastic bin should work just fine.
How often should I take a chicken dust bath? ›
Preen Queen uses peppermint and citronella essential oils to keep everything smelling fresh. To maintain your dust bath, clean out droppings regularly and replenish the “dust” materials every few weeks or as needed. Just about every time I head out to the coop, there's at least one chicken in the dust bath.
Can I use quikrete sand for chicken dust bath? ›
It's perfect for what they need for dust ... I actually use this sand for my chicken coop and run. It's perfect for what they need for dust bathing and grit. Not the normal purpose but I would recommend.
What dried herbs are best for chicken dust bath? ›
There are many types of herbs that are beneficial for chickens such as lavender, sage, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary, and more! Dried herbs not only help to keep insects away, but they may also leave your chickens with a pleasant smell and a tasty treat as they nibble while they are bathing.
Is potting soil ok for chicken dust bath? ›
Potting soil can be used for a chicken dust bath, and in fact, any dry dirt mixed with a handful of sulfur or any other clay soil or sand ingredient will work well.
How much diatomaceous earth do I put in a chicken dust bath? ›
For a 5.5 gallon tub I add about 4-5 inches of depth in material. It is almost a 50/50 mix of sand and soil with a cup full of diatomaceous earth. Research shows that many people substitute sand or soil with wood ash. Also the use of diatomaceous earth can be conversational.
Does a chicken dust bath need to be covered? ›
A dust bath works best when the dust is bone-dry, and is not clumping. Adding an umbrella, tent or tarp over the dust bath when it is raining will ensure your hens can get dirty when they need to.
The perfect dust bath recipe:
Place a box, cat litter box with a lid or child's sandpit on the floor of the run. You want to put it somewhere it will stay dry. Fill your box with about 1 part wood ash (you can also use fireplace ash), 1 part multipurpose compost and 1 part diatomaceous earth.
How to encourage chickens to dust bath? ›
Interested chickens will wait their turn at the dust bath if there are perches nearby, and a row of low stumps, small fence posts, elevated planks or hay bales can be ideal perches around a bathing area. After their dusting, chickens will also use the perches for shaking and preening to remove excess dust.
How to make a bird dust bath? ›
One way to create a dust bath area is to scrape vegetation away from a 3 x 3-foot sunny area and disturb the soil. Keep vegetation from the area. A dust bath can also be created by nailing four 3-foot pieces of 1 x 6-inch lumber together and placing them over a hole 6 inches deep.
Can I use potting soil for chicken dust bath? ›
Potting soil can be used for a chicken dust bath, and in fact, any dry dirt mixed with a handful of sulfur or any other clay soil or sand ingredient will work well.
Should chicken dust bath be in sun or shade? ›
You can also situate your dust bath under an overhang of a building or in another protected area, but it's best if the bathing area does get sun for at least part of the day. Chickens actually prefer to bathe in the sun.
Is peat moss good for chicken dust bath? ›
So keep it simple and safeguard their immune systems, delicate mucous membranes, and sensitive respiratory systems- sand, peat moss, or plain ol' dirt are all you need for a satisfying, effective dust bath! Learn much more about the many hazards to chickens of food grade diatomaceous earth here.
How do I get my chickens to use their dust bath? ›
If your birds seem reluctant to take a dust bath, however, you can encourage them to use the bath by gently sprinkling some of the dirt over their feathers and shaking it down to their skin if the birds are comfortable being handled.
