How to Make a Dust Bath for Your Chickens (With the Right Ingredients)
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- Опубліковано 7 гру 2020
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Having a dust bath for your chickens is an important addition to your chicken coop or chicken yard!
Chickens naturally bathe themselves in the dirt to get rid of bugs, old feathers, and other kinds of pests, so providing them with a dust bath with the right ingredients like diatomaceous earth and or wood ash, will keep them healthy and pest free!
The best part is that making a dust bath is super quick and easy!
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Diatomaceous Earth does not "suffocate" insects or other bugs. It gets into the crevasses of their exoskeletons and dehydrates them and it also prevents them from effectively moving by becomming clay-like. Its moisture absorbing property makes it effective on slugs and even horn worms as well. Be careful tho', DE is indiscriminate and can kill beneficial insects - such as bees - as well.
You are correct.
And wear a mask, this stuff is worse than inhaling fiberglass.
De is useless
@@dwightherrington7793 I've had a different experience. I've found it very useful in controlling and getting rid of ants. I suspect it is also why we do not have problems with mites in our coops.
@@dwightherrington7793 DE is far from useless. It's microscopic structure slices insects exoskeletons causing death via dehydration. Also excellent mixed in feed for parasite eradication.
Beneficial for humans too. It's polarity detox's the lymphatic system and performs the same antiparastic function.
We fill ours with play sand then top with DE and Sevin Dust, available in the home improvement stores and garden supply.
This method has stood the test of time, been doing this for 6 decades.
I like this idea
Do you leave it out in rain etc? Or u put it where it'd covered area
Sevin dust is toxic.
Place and is toxic to chickens
@@apiii73 That's what I was thinking, but s/he's been doing it for decades. I wouldn't do it, however.
Diatomaceous earth is ideal for this. My Dad was a big believer in this on our Farm 40 years ago. He used it in our pool filter, then recycled the old Dearth this way, even doen to the old tractor tire. He would dry it out, then put it inside an old metal garbage can, inside the coop. ( we had a 30 x 60 chicken coop). Chicken will actually prefer dry dusty dirt, but once they try this, they love it. Funny watching the chicks playing in it too.
FYI Diatomaceous earth is made of the skeletons of "diatoms" which are: tiny, ancient, fossilized sea creatures like little crabs.The calcium from the broken shell fragments are jagged. The serrated edges are very small and even microscopic. The pieces are like broken glass or obsidian.They get under and inside the folds of the bugs exoskeletons and are extremely abrasive.They cut,slice and shred the tiny biting pests until they finally die,it doesn't suffocate the bugs because they don't have lungs and breathe like us mammals.They respire through the chiten of their skeletons.There's no better way of getting rid of parasites because we don't want to use harmful chemicals! Happy farming everyone!
I've seen many warnings about avoiding the inhalation if DE. How are the chickens not breathing it in during a dust bath? Not trolling. Genuine interested in knowing
So would super-fine, crushed, dry egg shells do a similar job to the dia earth? Cut, slice +shred the pests?
Edit: I’ve just remembered all the old people used to put shell grit into the chook house for them to dust bath. It’s collected off beaches, and consists of all smashed-up fragments of old sea shells!
LouiseAustralia 🦘
Wood ash can kill grass. Be careful where you use it.
I am so excited, I will be getting my first experience with chickens this spring and I have found your channel. It must be fate lol.. I have been watching and learning about so many different things from your videos. Thanks so much and can wait to learn more.
Hi Sarah, I'm so excited you've found my channel and that you'll be getting chickens. They are great 😊 If you would like click the link I am going to attach and you will get a free checklist with chicken keeping tasks and then get my weekly emails with tips, I think you'll find them super helpful! If you can't click the link it is also above in the video description. lp.audreyslittlefarm.com/youtube-chicken-coop-cleaning-checklist
Just had a revelation! Thank you! I have chickens, I have wood ash and I have two old tractor tires laying around collecting only mosquitos. I gotta make them proper bathtub after this white shit melts from the ground!! Thanks! Love your channel!
I'm so glad to hear! Yes it's always great using things we already have laying around!
pretty cool idea! and i love the repurposed old tire as a dust tub👍!
Nice. Old vid but helped me out. Tip is throw field stones in where they have dug out. Keeps critters out
New Flock mom!!!!
Very excited to do this tomorrow!!!!
I found an old cast iron tub that was discarded in the woods and filled it up with dust bath material. I made a lid for the tub that hinges open to form a platform when open and closes easily to protect the top of the tub (and dust bath material) from getting wet. My birds love it and they have fun with up to 6 chickens bathing at the same time. Happy to repurpose this old tub from the woods.
That’s awesome, thanks for sharing!
Great idea. Can't emphasize enough the need to dust the chickens periodically to control pests to ensure a healthy flock. This is a good way to control the pests on chickens.
The first person to explain why my chickens dig holes.
Thank you for explaining what Diatomaceous earth actually does. I’ve watched three dust bath videos and you are the first person to explain what it actually does, so thank you for that. Information and education is power 💕
You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!😊
Diatomaceous also, to a bug, is like rolling around in broken glass.
Doesn't suffocate, it cuts them up like glass and dehydrates them.
If you look at DE under a strong magnifying glass you will see each miniscule piece of this looks like a mini-cylinder with sharp edges. I can see it cutting up small bugs, yes. The bigger the animal the less this affects them, if at all, because the pieces are so small, made for those tiny, nasty, mini-varmits.... lol!!!
Thanks for the info. Our girlies need this bath.
Awesome video this gave me a great idea for one of my old motorcycle tires! Cheers
That tire still looks good LOL nice video I'll be using one of my old tractor tires for this thanks
Diatomaceous Earth (ED) is great as a flea treatment, as well as a garden pest prevention. Sprinkle it on your plants to keeps bugs off of them.
Please be aware though that you should be using "Food Grade" when using it around animals and pets.
I like the wire ceiling for your run. Much better than chicken wire
Thank you, I really like it too! It's sturdy and keeps them safe😊
Thanks for your video. Thats one of this weekends projects.
aww man.. i was hoping to see a few of them dust bathing. Its always entertaining to see.
Great idea...woodash no need to buy sand...✊🏾❤️❤️❤️✊🏾also I like the lower covering to protect the birds from predators
I just got some Chickies a few days ago and put a pie pan in their fence and filled it with some ash! Thanks for the tip!!!!
Don’t let it get wet! Cover it up somehow :)
I've read that it's important to keep wood ash dry, or it can burn their skin somehow. They like it dry anyway, so locate it under a raised coop or such place.
Letting water drip through wood ash is how lye is made for soap making. Lye is extremely caustic. So yes, it needs to be dry, and so do the chickens. Don't mean to be a downer but I would use dirt and the DE.
Hi Amy, yes it's important to keep the wood ash dry and so if it's been raining and gets wet I scoop it out. But if you have a place to keep it dry that would be ideal. If not you can choose to just use DE and it works great. The wood ash is optional, it just also works to kill pests.
It turns to lye and can harm them. This DE and ash combo causes a lot of dust- and can cause respiratory issues. Wear a mask for that much powder, it’s not healthy to breathe in for chickens and humans.
I would add some soil and washed sand & a small amount of DE or ash mix it well together and keep it dry- they love to bathe in it- ;)
Lye is made of wood ash.
So you keep it dry and the chicken uses the dust bath and the it rains. Does the ash on the chicken's skin burn them when it gets wet?
Wow, great job, I'll do that this spring.👍👍💛
Thanks for sharing this creative idea !
I love your style - couldn't be clearer!
I'm so glad! Thanks for the comment😊
I just bought a tray designed to go under a hot water heater at lowes that had black plastic and metal. I chose the plastic one. About $10
I searched this suspecting I could use ash and DE. Thanks for confirming!!
Glad I could help!
Wow now that's how you do a video great information to the point you're wonderful thank you so much🤠👍
You are so welcome! Thanks for the comment!😊
About the dusting holes along the fence line - could you fill those holes with gravel, so they don't compromise the fence's integrity?
I would think that using only ash and de would cause respiratory issues. I mean we always had a dust bath area that was soil, sand and ash and de.
You obviously know what you’re doing…🤘
@@tonimoon6346 can you tell me what you use and the amounts?
That was my thought too; I know DE is harmful to breathe bc it is so sharp. Thx for confirming I can just mix it with soil 👍
That's a great run u have for yer hens 👍
Thanks Richie!
Most Creative!Most Innovative!!!🌹👌👌👍👍👍❤️from India
That’s an awesome chicken pen!
Just remember that you only use ash from hardwood or at least from broad leaved trees. Ashes from i.e spruce, fir, pine and other evergreen is not good. I have used this in combination with very dry soil and sand from the beaches for more years than I can remember. And btw keep the dust bath under cover and in sun, as much as can be provided, to keep the mix dry.
Any thoughts on wood ash causing chemical like burns when it gets wet? Saw that in a video the other day.
My chicken used to give herself a dust bath when she was young . I put powder on her that is safe for chickens nowadays because she is old and has arthritis nowadays .
Great idea 💡
Best big run I’ve seen
Thank you! 😊
Very good advice and thanks.
Great idea!
You are so clever thanks 💛🌻
Andrea, thanks so much 😊
I love the idea but my concern is what about when it rains? Does it ruin the mixture or does it dry out in time on it’s own?
You want to put the dust bath somewhere it can't get wet. A lot of people have a space under the coop itself for the dust bath or they just put it under a covered part of their run.
I haven't had a problem with the rain. It will dry out on its own but if it isn't drying out I just refill it as necessary 😊
Can I use charcoal ash?
water negates DE it’s only effective as insect control while dry and powdery.
Good informative videos.
Glad you like them!
Thank you for the video. I live in Minnesota where it gets very cold and snows. Would you recommend I place it in the coop, or should I put it under the awning that will be 8x12 ft?
Hi Ryan, I’d put it under the awning. It doesn’t need to be in the coop but it’s nice to have it covered.
@@AudreysLittleFarm thank you for letting me know.
If a big coop, keep it inside, sheltered, but by the yard/run.
So what’s the ratio? I’m using ash and like but idk the ratio or how much like to add into the ash
Enjoyed all your videos! Helpful hints. Is this the Sacramento area? I'm looking to move and would like to be in an area with a great growing season. Summers too hot where I am at.
Thanks so much! No, I am in the Central Valley of California, it has a great long growing season but the summers are very hot, unfortunately!
Sacto is a dustbowl from March to November. Temps up to 114'F there in Summer. That is NOT the place for heat relief, nor for Off Grid folks. The Politicos there are complete CROOKS.
I'd suggest Central to Southern Utah, for best overall. Sacramento has two Seasons, God-Awful-Hot, and Rainy Drizzle.
Thanks a lot
Great idea. Thanks
Awesome! Does it have to be food grade?
Hi Audrey, I thought DE would cause respiratory issues? Have your chickens had any issues breathing it in?
Just use a combination of sand, wood ash and DE. You don't need to make them equal parts, with this combination I use more sand and then a couple handfuls of wood ash and DE.
Also be sure the DE is food grade because the crystalized brands are too strong and can cause the respiratory issues
Does the ash & DE harden when it gets wet?
Great video and content...💯👍
Thank you!
Is the DE food grade or can you use the DE from the garden section of a nursery? Thanks
Hi, it's important to use food grade DE for your chickens and so you'll have to check the label and if the DE from the garden section is food grade it's perfectly okay to use.
Great advice thank you
Holy editing Batman!
Howdy! I enjoyed the content but would hav like to known how you assembled you tradtor tire dust bath.
Is there a right ratio
Diatomaceous Earth to
Wood Ash
Awesome stuff
Do you have to keep it under a covering, or is it ok if it gets wet?
Great idea, thanks
Good video however you should mention the DE needs to be food grade for the safety of the chickens.
I just read through all the comments. Lot of cranky people out there- maybe they should keep chooks.😃
So, should I just save my wood ashes from winter to use in the summer for their dust bath when its hot and dry outside?
My DE bag warns of respiratory issues. Any thoughts on that?
amazing
Great information
Now this I did not know! So this is why my hens have dug holes all across the front of my house - yep! I do have an old tire that I'll set up, can I fill it up w/ sand? Not familiar w/ the d-earth you mention (no, can't spell it:), I do let mine free range on my small acreage, my fenced in area is approx 10x20, which will not be very big once my 15 baby girls mature + 1 roo + the 3 senior hens
Hi Sherry, sorry for the late reply. Yes you can fill it with sand but adding some diatomaceous earth is good because it kills mites and any other pests that may be on your chickens 😊
@@AudreysLittleFarm I watched this video again, sounds like there's no specific ratio of how much d/earth to use w/ the sand? I have 3 smaller tires that I pretty much filled w/ sand & topped off w/ the d/earth - will rain wash it away? I got a 50 lb bag, so will store the rest. I got a couple more questions for you, but will look for answers in your videos first, I don't want to be a pest!
How much do we put of DE and Wood ash?
Hi Maria, you can put all wood ash or all DE. You can also mix them, there are no correct measurements😊 In the winter time when we're burning our wood stove I do all wood ash, but then the rest of the year I do mostly DE. Both kill the pests.
do you put anything under that tractor tire or you just have it on the ground? how often do you have to clean it - do they poop in it too?
I just have it sitting on the dirt. They don’t poop in it, they just fluff in it and then get out 😊 so I don’t really have to clean it I just have to refill it as it starts getting empty.
How much of the ingredients to you use? Do you put dirt or sand in with it as well?
Hi Tiffani, I typically just mix diatomaceous earth and wood ash or I do all of one or the other depending on what I have. You can mix sand or dirt in with it if you want and that is no problem though😊
Most around here (Florida) use a base of sand and add DE. Just make sure it's food grade and not crystalline. Crystalline DE is bad for you and your birds if inhaled. If you don't have DE just use wood ash from your fireplace or fire pit. Welcome to raising chickens @Tiffani Manney
What do you do with the wood ash after it rains?
Wood ash is an amazing fertilizer assuming you burned clean wood
Does it hurt it if it rains in it or do you have change it
Very nice video i inspired. God bless
I have a 5 month old and four 5 week olds and none of them use the dust bath I made. I used all purpose sand from HD, DE, and wood ash. They will walk on it or poop in it but they have never actually used it. They usually scratch the mulch away in their run and make their own dust bath. Is this normal? Will they eventually use the one I made or should I use different materials? Any advice would be appreciated.
Is it OK if the bath area gets wet? Or does it have to be some where in the coop that stays dry??? Ty
Dont get it wet otherwise it would be to heavy for them and yes keep them in dry areas
@@zofamilythangsut4196 ty so much. First time chicken momma here! Lol
What is on the top of your run? Wire or plastic
Thanks!
You bet! 😊
Thank you!
What kind of diatomaceous earth ? Food grade or other?
You are respected lady, I love your videos
Thank you!
Could you recommend another thing for the bath?
I really only recommend DE and wood ash because it helps with pests. But chickens will naturally fluff in the dirt and that is helpful as well it just won't kill all the pests as DE and wood ash will
Check out first saturday lime
how often do you have to replenish the DE?
I just replenish when they have fluffed it out and it starts getting low or if it gets wet.
DE dust is not safe to breathe for you or the birds. Take time to read the safety information on the label/MSDS. 'Food safe' DE is meant to be used wet and consumed. Also too much ash can irritate the birds eyes and skin. The best dust bath recipe I found combines one part garden soil, one part ash, and one part all purpose sand.
I heard apple cider vinegar is good in the chicken's water to rid them of paracites and poopy butt.🤷🏼
What happens to your dust bath when it gets wet, such as when it rains?
@@denisefoltz4294, exactly. So what happens when it rains? Chickens don't take a dust bath until the dirt has an opportunity to dry?
Ash and DE would turn almost like cement if wetted enough, ya think?
@@ix-Xafra, exactly. So how does one keep a dust bath dry when it rains?
Hey could you please tell me why my chicken nodding head so much, it can't sleep properly because it nods head after every 10 seconds. when i first bought it the chicken was fine but in 2 days it started to nod it's head a lot.
Do you keep the dust bath covered from the rain?
No mine is not under the a cover but if you do have a cover to put it under that'd be super helpful!
Bravo...
How much DE do I need to use I do not have wood ash. So I got sand, soil???
thank you for the explaination about that dust bath but I'm curious how you could make all the chicken not fighting each other? is there any your videos that could help me to make chickens not fighting each other?
Chickens do fight tussle and peck each other . That's all natural it's "pecking order" as long as no blood or feather picking it's normal.
@@helenbradley3123 but my hens peck each other until one of them bloody
@@PransPuth there is an anti picking spray you can get. If one chicken is wounded they will zero in on that. I also find that increasing the protein in your feed can help.
Sometimes they will fight if they don't have enough space. Or you may have some bullies. Make sure you put things in the run for entertainment.
My 11 week old hens went out to the coop a few days ago. Hasn't dug around yet.
It’s no problem, there’s nothing you can do to make them use it, just give them time and they will start dust bathing.
Is it ok to use DE containing calcium bentonite?
As long as the DE is food grade then it is safe to use 😊
The wild turkeys that live around here do this in the back of my property, now i know why.
What about the rain? Doesn't the dust bath turn to mud? Or mudlike anyway?
Plus, it can also be used as a cat litter box.
Is it safe with ash when it rains
Do you leave this out in the open uncovered? Is it okay being outside in the rain?
Yes, it is fine to be out in the open. Mine is not covered although in the winter or when you were expecting heavy rain, it would be better to have it under a cover if you have that option, if not that’s fine. I just replace the materials once they’ve gotten wet!
So the wood ash will not stain the chicken feathers? Specially the white ones?
No, I have never had it stain their feathers they may look initially a little bit dirty, but it does not stain them.
Hmmm, I have an old turtle shaped sadbox for little kids. It's still full of sand and nobody has touched it or even taken the lid off of it in 2-3 years..
Would I be able to just drag it back to their yard with the sand in it and just let them bathe in the sand? Or would I have to add other stuff to it?
Yes that would work great, you could add that to your chicken yard with the sand in it. However, sand alone doesn’t kill pests so if you were wanting to make sure that the mites/lice/ etc. are being killed then I would recommend mixing in food grade diatomaceous earth to the sand.
@@AudreysLittleFarm Okay, soo I was actually getting mixed signals with the sand. 50% of the research I did with reading on Google and watching UA-cam videos basically said "do not" use play sand because the sand grains are wayy to fine. However the other 50% said it would be okay.
Soo, because I wasn't sure what to do, today I just went ahead and started a "dust bath" using a small kiddie pool that I drilled a bunch of holes in and filled it with 2 bags of potting soil. I just cut my grass yesterday so I raked a bunch of cut grass and mulched up leaves and whatever else would be in a yard after a cut and threw it all in there.
Tomorrow I'm going to go into my basement and brush out our wood burner that's been used for several winters but has never been cleaned and use all the ashes that have been collected to add into the "dust bath."
I'm gunna have to look into that diatomaceous earth stuff because I've never heard of it before and don't know what it is or how expensive it is.
But, with everything I did today, was that a good start? I'm gunna add the ash tomorrow but I don't want to put it in there if I screwed up somewhere and end up wasting it..
If you give them a bath with D-earth(to get rid of mites infestation) how do you cover there face to prevent them from breathing it in. Or is it a myth that if they breath it in it'll cause respiratory issues
I have never had any issues with them breathing it in. It's only an issue for those with respiratory problems.
There are 2 types of DE. Food grade and Crystalline. You and your birds don't want to breath crystalline DE