The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: in the hills on January 07, 2017, 10:43:17 pm
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Can I put wood ash from the log burner into chicken runs for a dust baths?
Would it need to be mixed with anything else?
Thanks
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Wood ash is brilliant for a dust bath. We dig a shallow hole for ours, with soil underneath, but it doesn't need anything added really. The ash does seem to deter parasites although I have no research-based proof. The hens love it. I'm hoping that, as the hens are currently in our veg polytunnel, whenever they shake, the ash clouds will reach obscure corners where the red mites which have been infesting our veg hide, and suffocate them :yippee: . I don't know if the ash affects the hens lungs, but I can't see why it would any more than dust. Don't use coal ash though.
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We use wood ash for the soil baths, but only at about 10% as we worry about respiratory problems. We bought in two Orpingtons with respiratory irritation from dust- saw it around their nostrils. Two years on and they haven't got over it.
It is good for lice and for removing red mite that haven't got off their host and gone into the coop. Like Fleecewife, I think the very fine dust of potash suffocates the bugs somehow.
Coal ash mustn't be used on account of the Sulphur content mixed with damp creating Sulphuric Acid.
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What a good idea, never thought of that, I have buckets of wood ash.
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What a good idea, never thought of that, I have buckets of wood ash.
Me too, and I feel so stupid because i knew!
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Thanks all.
I use it outside in the dust baths that they create under the conifers but mix it with the dry soil, as you say Chrismahon. Was worried that it might cause problems used neat.
Wonder if I could use play sand?
They're missing their dust baths. Poor things :(
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Re play sand, this compacts really badly when it gets wet, most people I know use construction sand as it contains grit and doesn't compact. Also the hens get all the grit they need at the same time - win win!
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Make sure however that there is plenty of dry loose soil to mix with the ash as pure wood ash is caustic. When mixed with water it forms potassium hydroxide, which is similar to caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) and will burn or at least irritate the skin.
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Re play sand, this compacts really badly when it gets wet, most people I know use construction sand as it contains grit and doesn't compact. Also the hens get all the grit they need at the same time - win win!
Builders sand also contains high levels of salt and other contaminants , it's why you can't use it as a substitute for horticultural sand.
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Ahhh, that's what I was a bit concerned about Landroverroy.
No loose soil in their run now to mix it with.
Will have to have a think about which sand to use.
Much easier when they're out sorting it out for themselves. ::)
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Will have to have a think about which sand to use.
Much easier when they're out sorting it out for themselves. ::)
Not sure if it's the sort of thing your looking for but I use coconut fibre for both in the coop and to aerate the rather clay soil in the middle of my hens run.
Just bought some from Amazon £7.99 for a compressed 5kg block which floofs up to 70lt, I haven't used this particular brand before, normally I have to leave it out for a few days as it's slightly damp straight out of the bag, but from reviews this one seems to be dyhydrated so I'm hoping it can go straight in the coop.
I've used hemp bedding for years but I much prefer the coconut fibre, so much easier for daily poo picking and I can put it straight on the garden when it's needing changed.
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What about mixing the wood ash with sawdust
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Hi Celli
Do you mean the stuff that they use for reptiles? I'm thinking that would break down in my compost very quickly. Is there a downside?
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Perhaps you could amend your heading ITH, I was wondering what you were doing to your poor little chooks ;D,
good post anyway, very useful :thumbsup:
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There you go Penninehillbilly. But preferred the 'dust bat' myself. ;D
Not sure that the coconut fibre would work in the dust bath but maybe an option for the runs. Is it poisonous to dogs? Our lab will eat anything so have to be careful.
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With regard to no dry soil in the run for a dust bath, could you mix ash with either dried soil or sand in a cat litter tray so,they can have a dust bath? I know it isn't the same as digging a hole in dry soil which my hens love, but it could give them some amusement whilst confined to barracks.
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Hi Celli
Do you mean the stuff that they use for reptiles? I'm thinking that would break down in my compost very quickly. Is there a downside?
Yes that's it , I get horticultural stuff, it's a bit cheaper I think and you get it in larger quantities, the only downside is it does come out the bag slightly damp, I just tip it into a big tubtrug and let it dry off for a few days, other than that I much prefer it to anything else I've used, I've found it lasts longer and not so much is wasted when I daily poo pick, and as you say, you can dig it straight into the soil.
I'm hoping the compressed stuff that arrived today won't be damp and can go straight in the coop, I'll report back tomorrow when I clean out the coop.
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Mixed results from the sold block bedding, on the plus side, they are small, so very handy if storage is tight, but rehydrating is a bit of a chore, especially when you don't want it to be damp.
So it took a lot of chipping, sawing ( this stuff is brick hard you can't break it up with your hands ) and adding a bit more water until I had a heaped barrow full, and then one of my cats jumped in and pee'd in it ! ????.
Two blocks filled my 5x 4 coop to about four or five inches deep, I'd use it again, but in the summer, it's too cold to be hunched over a wheelbarrow for ages with your hands in cold water.