Chickens take dust baths to clean their feathers and skin and get rid of pests like mites and lice. Making a proper dust bath for your flock is an easy and natural way to keep them healthy and happy. But what exactly should you put in a chicken dust bath? Let’s take a look at the ingredients for making the perfect dust bath.
Why Chickens Need Dust Baths
Chickens lack the oil glands that other birds use to clean and condition their feathers. Instead, they rely on dust bathing to keep their feathers in good condition. The dust clings to the oil and dirt on their skin and feathers, absorbing the oil and helping to dislodge parasites.
Dust baths also help chickens regulate their body temperature, remove dead skin cells, and just feel happy in general! Chickens will usually take a dust bath after laying an egg. It’s an important part of their daily routine.
When to Provide a Dust Bath
Chickens of all ages enjoy dust baths. Consider providing a shallow dust bath in the brooder for baby chicks to flap around in.
For your main flock, offer a dust bath in their run at all times. Chickens know when they need a good dusting and will use the bath as needed. Just make sure it stays dry and fluffy.
How to Make a Chicken Dust Bath
You can make a dust bath directly on the ground by digging a shallow hole, or contain it by using a kid’s pool, galvanized tub, wooden box, or other container. Aim for at least 10 inches deep and wide enough for 2-3 hens.
To create the dust mixture start with a base of sand and dry dirt or soil. Then add a variety of dust bath “boosters” to help deter pests and parasites. Mix and match based on what materials you have available.
Recommended Dust Bath Ingredients
Sand: Provides exfoliation and grit. Aim for a coarse builders sand.
Dirt/Soil Provides structure. Use dry garden soil or compost dirt.
Wood ash: Absorbs oils and deters pests. Use ash from untreated firewood only.
Diatomaceous earth (food grade) Kills external and internal parasites, Wear a mask when handling
Herbs and flowers: Smell nice and can deter pests. Good options are lavender, mint, thyme, oregano, garlic, and marigolds.
Sulfur powder: Kills mites, lice, and fleas.
Pumice: Exfoliates skin and feathers.
Hay/Straw: Loosens dirt and feathers. Use sparingly to avoid introducing new pests.
Peat moss: Lightens and fluffs dusty mixtures.
What Not to Put in a Dust Bath
Avoid these materials, which can be harmful to chickens:
- Coal ash or ash from treated lumber
- Sawdust, shavings, wood pellets
- Cat litter
- Pine or cedar shavings/dust
- Chemical pesticides
Dust Bath Maintenance
Check your dust bath weekly and remove droppings and any wet, compacted areas. Stir the bath with a shovel to loosen it up. Refill as needed with fresh sand, soil, diatomaceous earth, herbs, and other dust bath boosters.
Location matters too. Consider moving baths into a shadier area during hot summer months so the dust doesn’t turn to concrete. And offer a sunnier locale in winter to encourage bathing year-round.
The Ideal Dust Bath Recipe
Here is a simple dust bath recipe to try for a small backyard flock:
- 2 parts sand
- 2 parts dry soil/compost dirt
- 1 part wood ash
- 1 part diatomaceous earth
- 1⁄2 part dried herbs and flowers
Mix well before offering to your chickens. They’ll be dusting up a storm in no time! Providing a dust bath is one of the simplest ways to keep your flock healthy, clean, and pest-free the natural way.
What is Dust Bathing?
Dust bathing is a way for chickens to clean themselves. There are a variety of purposes for dust bathing. When chickens start to feel dirty, grimy, or itchy, their instincts kick in and they dig in the soil and burrow.
They use their wings to throw dirt on themselves until they are coated in a layer of dirt. This helps absorb oil, excess moisture, and clog parasites breathing pores.
While it may sound like this ritual would make your birds more dirty and susceptible to insects, the dirt also helps absorb oil and suffocate potential parasites that lie beneath your hens feathers.
Providing a Dust Bathing Box
Providing a place for your flock to dust bathe is very important, especially if your flock is confined to a chicken coop or chicken run. In the winter months, having access to a dust bathing area is especially important because snow or frozen ground prevents your flock from having access to dirt. If you do not provide your flock with space to dust bathe, they will find a way to create one.
Making a dust bath for your chickens also ensures that they are bathing with beneficial dirt, rather than manure, decaying matter, or anything else that may be harboring harmful bacteria.
How to Make a Dust Bath for Your Chickens (With the Right Ingredients)
FAQ
What is the best thing to put in a chicken dust bath?
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.
Do you use sand or dirt for chicken dust bath?
1 part sand: All-purpose sand is the best choice for chicken dust baths, also known as contractor’s sand, construction sand, or multipurpose sand. It’s fine enough for a good fluffabout, but coarse enough that they won’t inhale it. You should be able to find bags of all purpose sand at your local hardware store.
Is potting soil ok for chicken dust bath?
Yes, potting soil can be used for a chicken dust bath, but it’s important to choose the right kind and ensure it’s free of harmful additives.
What to use to dust chickens for mites?
Good grade Diatomaceous earth, or garden and Poultry dust. You can get it at your local feed store or sometimes plant nurseries. I sprinkle it directly on my chickens and gently rub it on their feathers. Avoid the eyes and head. Wear a mask while applying.
What makes a good chicken dust bath?
A perfect chicken dust bath requires three key ingredients: Sand: Provides the gritty base that helps scrub the dirt off chickens’ skin. Wood Ash: Rich in essential minerals, wood ash also aids in deterring parasites. Diatomaceous Earth: Though controversial to some, it can be an effective component in controlling pests when used carefully.
Can you add sand to a chicken dust bath?
Sand can be added to a chicken’s dust bath as an amendment. It helps increase the volume of dirt and keep it loose. While chickens don’t prefer dust baths that are mostly composed of sand, adding a little sand to the native dirt can improve its texture and performance.
How do you make a chicken dust bath?
There are many ‘recipes’ for creating a chicken dust bath. But basically, all that’s needed is soil containing a relatively equal mixture of sand, silt and a bit of clay – a loamy soil. The size of your chicken dust bath, on the other hand, will depend on the number of chickens you are raising.