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  • Dust bath

    I'd like to make a dust bath for my girls but havent a clue what to do! Has anyone got any ideas? Ie what could I use as a dust bath and what would I put in it?
    Bernie aka DDL

    Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

  • #2
    mine use any available dry( and not so dry spot and really enjoy bathing in loose soil. Preferable in the sunniest spot that/ first spot to be sunny that you can find.
    Last edited by RedThorn; 05-12-2009, 03:56 PM.
    Never test the depth of the water with both feet

    The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory....

    Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

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    • #3
      How about a baby bath filled with dry soil in a dry sheltered place in the run? (if there is such a place at the moment!!) You can add diatom to it too so they de-louse at the same time
      My girls found their way into my heart and now they nest there

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      • #4
        a mixture of sand compost, crumbly soil and fire ashes went down well with my lot in summer

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        • #5
          Originally posted by MaureenHall View Post
          How about a baby bath filled with dry soil in a dry sheltered place in the run? (if there is such a place at the moment!!) You can add diatom to it too so they de-louse at the same time
          Me being thick, whats diatom? I havent got any......think I know where I could get some from tho.
          Bernie aka DDL

          Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

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          • #6
            Originally posted by RedThorn View Post
            mine use any available dry( and not so dry spot and really enjoy bathing in loose soil. Preferable in the sunniest spot that/ first spot to be sunny that you can find.
            Thanks Steve - trouble is, up here int' north we have been and are in very short supply of all those requirements!
            Bernie aka DDL

            Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

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            • #7
              I gave mine a sand pit sink in the floor of the run. They just scratch wood chips into it! I now leave it as a wood chip shelter (I empty the chips back out regularly) and they go in there when it's windy as it's below ground level and sheltered. Canny lot. They make their own dust bath on their bit of garden.
              Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

              www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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              • #8
                I use a spare plastic dog bed half filled with mix of soil and play sand. They much prefer the empty raised beds in the polytunnel though!

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                • #9
                  Bernie,

                  I bought a huge tub on eBay cos I use it every other day. I filled an empty seasalt container and shake it liberally over their perches the top of their shavings and their ramp. In the summer when it was dry (anyone remember?) I used to scatter it on the floor of the coop and nest box before adding shavings and also to the run. The idea being they delouse themselves when they go kicking, scratching, perching and laying. Red Mite hate it too.

                  You could use an old cat litter tray or even a cardboard box to use as a dust bath.
                  If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing to excess

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                  • #10
                    lol Bernie... it's in short supply here too mine prefer using my raised bed's when I let them.
                    Never test the depth of the water with both feet

                    The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory....

                    Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Eco-Chic View Post
                      Bernie,

                      I bought a huge tub on eBay cos I use it every other day. I filled an empty seasalt container and shake it liberally over their perches the top of their shavings and their ramp. In the summer when it was dry (anyone remember?) I used to scatter it on the floor of the coop and nest box before adding shavings and also to the run. The idea being they delouse themselves when they go kicking, scratching, perching and laying. Red Mite hate it too.

                      You could use an old cat litter tray or even a cardboard box to use as a dust bath.
                      Brill, thanks. Bernie goes off to ebay......................
                      Bernie aka DDL

                      Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

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                      • #12
                        I gave up - they much prefer digging their own holes to bathe in. The current one is about a foot deep, makes me jump when I walk past and a little head pops out I just bung stuff in the hole from time to time, and they dig it back out again!
                        All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
                        Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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                        • #13
                          I got the 5Kg size when I was getting 5L Smite and other bits and bobs cos the seller would send up to about 20kg of stuff for £7.95 carriage.

                          It's going to last a very long time so I expect I'll have to get some more chooks in the New Year to help use it
                          If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing to excess

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Eco-Chic View Post
                            I got the 5Kg size when I was getting 5L Smite and other bits and bobs cos the seller would send up to about 20kg of stuff for £7.95 carriage.

                            It's going to last a very long time so I expect I'll have to get some more chooks in the New Year to help use it
                            Good idea, like it! Just ordered some off the bay of the e.
                            Thanks for your help.
                            Bernie aka DDL

                            Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

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                            • #15
                              We used an old cat litter tray,(washed of course). With playsand in it.
                              But they just ate all the playsand! Over and over again. So now they have made their own little dust bath areas -3 in a row, very cute- under the conifers and it stays dry under there.

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