Making a dustbath

[Curlykale]

My chickens' run is woodchip on top of paving, so I need to make a dustbath for them, for the days when they don't get out into the garden. I have a shallow wooden crate which I thought would be ideal (or would a plastic washing up bowl be better?) My plan is to mix together some soil from the lottie, some sand from the beach and some diatomaceous earth (to keep the lice away).

My questions are:-

1. Is it ok to use sand from the beach,or could the salt be harmful to the chickens?

2. What proportions of soil/sand/Diatomaceous earth should I use? How often should I top it up with DE?

Every time I go to the lottie I bring back a trug with a couple of spadefuls of soil which I put in their run - they love it and have a good rootle round searching for worms, bugs etc. Then next time I go to the lottie I take the trug with me, empty out the 'used' soil and replace it with another spadeful of fresh!

[RichmondHens]

Sand from the beach will be fine although I'm not sure it is legal if you do it in any quantity as it's classed as contributing to erosion. You will have to employ a horde of children to come back with a "souvenir" each in their seaside bucket!

Don't bother putting DE in the dustbath, it is more effective applied directly to the birds (powder liberally all over every 3 - 4 weeks rubbing into the skin, do it at night when birds are sleepy and easy to take from the perch). Also mix a couple of handfuls into the nestbox bedding (once they are laying). It's good practice to handle birds regularly whether you are dusting them or not, though dusting is the perfect excuse. You can assess weight and general condition this way and often pick up on injuries etc which may go unnoticed otherwise.

[Curlykale]

Thanks RH. Your advice is always gratefully received. We've already got a couple of buckets of sand in the garage (we've had a few days on the beach lately and just 'forgot' to empty the sand out of the buckets before coming home!) The dustbath is only very small so I don't think we are going to cause too much coastal erosion! That's a really good tip, taking the chickens out of the house when they are sleepy to check and dust them. I have managed to pick one of our girls up quite regularly, and have checked under her right wing every time (well I hold the wing up and my husband or daughter checks it), but I haven't yet got the hang of turning her round so I can hold her the other way and check the left wing I figure that if one wing is clear of lice they both are! I think she knows that I am inexperienced and haven't a clue what I'm doing as just the slightest hesitation on my part has her wriggling and squirming and trying to get away. As for my younger girl, she is a nightmare to catch and I have only actually managed to pick her up three times and she is VERY wriggly and nervous. I have sneakily opened the hatch in the house and stroked them a few times at night to try and get them more used to being handled but that is the only time the young one tolerates it. Hopefully with time she will become more cooperative!

[RichmondHens]

When checking for lice look under and around the vent - this is the most common place to find them and also where they lay eggs as the hen can't reach this spot to preen. You will have to hold the hen by her legs with one hand and tip her bum to the sky and part the feathers with the other hand.

Re handling birds: Easiest way - With the hen facing towards you, slide your hand under the breast and between the legs, grasp the legs with a middle finger separating them so you end up with the hen resting on the palm of your hand and the legs sticking out down between your fingers. Keep a firm hold with this hand. This leaves the other hand free to examine. It's an effective method which works on practically all birds. You can turn them into any position you like. If you get a real flapper then, still holding onto the legs, turn her over on her back onto a flat surface which will limit her movement even further. Try to avoid holding a bird round her body. They have air sacs along their sides and often struggle because they can't breathe.

Young birds are always flighty and difficult to handle to start with (I've got some real shrieking maniacs in my grower pen at the moment. Went to catch a few the other night, anyone would think there was a mass murder going on!). Just keep on at it and they will soon become quite placid.

[Curlykale]

Thanks RH. I didn't know that chickens have air sacs along their sides - I had been told to pick them up by pressing gently on their back and holding their wings against their body. I'll have a go at your way instead. Fingers crossed!