Dust Bath Recipe for chickens

Sharing is caring!

This dust bath recipe for chickens will help you to setup an area for your hens to keep clean and healthy all year long.

The trick to raising chickens that are hardy is to give them all they need to take care of themselves. This includes food, water, protection, and a place to clean off and relax.

When I first started raising chickens, I knew little to nothing. Other than the food, water, and coop part, I knew little else. My first year was like being in class. My flock taught me more than any book ever could.

One day I walked into our little coop only to see not one of my birds. I panicked until I found them all perching up in the ceiling on the rafters over my head! Our first flock was Leghorns, and I quickly found out they like to be high up at night. As high as they can possibly get.

My education continued on from there.

With my next flock, I walk out to my coop one day to find one of my hens lying on her side in a shallow dirt hole, not moving an inch.

I panicked and ran up to her, calling out. She jumped up in surprise and flew off to the rest of the flock.

What I thought was a dead chicken was simply a hen taking a dust bath.

What is a dust bath?

A dust bath is a chicken’s way of cleaning themselves. Chickens do not take traditional water baths like other animals; instead, they use dust or loose dirt to clean their feathers and skin.

They will lie in the bath area and use their feet to kick the material onto their feathers. They will flap their wings to work the dust down to their skin and shake it off. They continue this process repeatedly until they feel they are clean.

As the dust moves on and off the skin, it takes with it dirt, loot skin, and parasites.

A dust bath is an essential part of chicken care as it helps to keep your flock free from pests and parasites. It also allows them to relax and relieve any itching or irritation on their skin.

No, your chicken is not dead.

It is not uncommon to find a hen lying on her side, wings stretched out, sound asleep. I will often catch my breath when I see one of our hens this way. No, they may look dead, but they are actually sleeping.

A bath helps to reduce stress, allowing the hen to fall asleep completely relaxed.

Dust Bath Recipe

Many times, all you need is a shallow hole with loose soil inside for your flock to use as a dust bath. However, there are a few other ingredients you can add to boost the effects.

Dust Bath Container

If you do not want to use a hole, you can use a container instead.

1. Tire
2. Kitty litter box
3. Large wash tub
4. Kiddie pool

Vanness CP2 Large Cat PanExtra Large Chicken Dust Bath Tub, 75” D * 5.9” H, Bottomless Design, PE Eco Friendly, Dust Bath for Chickens Coop Accessory Cleaner Container, Chicken Cage Lime Container for Chicken Coop LimeZeus & Ruta Chicken Dust Bath Tub, 25”, Bottomless Design, PE Material, Adjustable Dust Bath for Chickens, Chicken Coop Cleaner Containe Essential Chicken Coop Accessory (Grey*1)

 

Ingredients:

You can use some or all of the following ingredients. Each one serves its own purpose in a bath.

• Dirt or loose soil – helps to remove dirt and parasites from feathers and skin.
• Wood ash – helps to deter pests such as mites and lice. Be sure NOT to use ash from pressure treated wood.
• Diatomaceous earth – a natural pest repellent.
• Dried herbs such as lavender, mint, or rosemary – have calming effects and help to repel pests.

Instructions:

1. Find a suitable area in your chicken’s coop or run for their dust bath. It should be at least 12 inches wide and deep enough for your chickens to fully immerse themselves in.
2. Mix dirt or loose soil with wood ashes, sand, diatomaceous earth, and dried herbs in equal parts.
3. Place the mixture into the designated dust bath area and spread it evenly.
4. Sit back and watch as your chickens enjoy their new spa treatment!

Diatomaceous Earth Food-Grade Supplement Powder for Humans and Pets, 25 lbARDEN LINE Zeolite Chicken Dust Bath | All-Natural Finely Milled Zeolite Dust | Natural Kraft Box Packaging | Chicken Coop Accessories | Made in The USAFarm Party Herbal Hootenanny Chicken Nesting Herbs 8oz – Chicken Dust Bath Mix Deodorizer Keeps Nest Boxes & Coop Fresh – Chicken Coop Herbs – Chicken Accessories for Coops

 

Directions:

1. Find a suitable location for your dust bath area, preferably in a sunny spot.
2. Find a container that is large enough for your breed of hen, or you can dig a shallow hole about 2 to 3 inches deep.
3. Mix the dirt and other ingredients together in a separate container or bucket.
4. Place the mixture into your chosen container, making sure to spread it evenly.
5. Monitor your chickens’ dust bath area and replenish with fresh ingredients as needed.
6. Enjoy watching your happy and healthy flock!

Additional Tips:

Use these tips to keep dust baths clean and neat for your backyard chickens.

• Provide multiple dust bath areas if you have a large flock to avoid overcrowding and potential aggression. A good rule is one dust bath for every 8 chickens.
• Have a dust bath inside the coop and outside. This will give your chickens a place to bathe when the weather is bad outside.
• If your bath is outside, keep a lid on to prevent the ingredients from getting wet. We use an old trash can lid and it works great.

• Make sure to keep the dust bath area clean by removing any droppings or debris regularly.
• If using a container, make sure it is sturdy enough for your chickens to stand on without sinking or tipping over.
• As things settle, you can add fresh ingredients to your dust baths. We like to replenish things every few weeks to keep each area fresh and clean.

Raising healthy chickens is a great way to ensure you have fresh eggs all year long. One way to do that is way to do that is to provide them with an area to clean their skin and feathers.

Use this dust bath recipe to set up a few bathing areas for your flock and keep those eggs coming!

More Chicken Guides:

• Treats For Chickens
• What to Feed Chickens in Winter
• 5 Warning Signs of a Sick Chicken