How to Make a Chicken Dust Bath (Recipe)
Keep your chickens healthy and happy with a simple DIY dust bath recipe, with tips on the best ingredients, location, rain protection, and more.
Equipment
- Dust bath container of choice. See recommendations below
- 1 part Plain dirt - loose, well-draining, and relatively free of debris (such as average topsoil)
- 1 part All-purpose sand. Avoid using play sand as it’s too fine and could cause respiratory problems for chickens
- Optional: Lime, diatomaceous earth, wood ash, and or dried herbs (but avoid lime, DE, and wood ash for baby chicks)
Instructions
- Choose a dust bath container of choice. Common examples include galvanized tubs, wood or plastic crates, old garden bed, kiddie pool or children's sandbox, giant cat litter box, storage totes, or old tires.
- Add holes to the bottom of the container for drainage (rain) if needed.
- Place the container in a location of choice; one that receives part sun, part shade, and in an area sheltered from rain if possible.
- Add equal parts dirt and all-purpose sand (1:1 ratio) to the dust bath container and mix to combine.
- Add optional dust bath additions such as lime, diatomaceous earth, wood ash, or dried herbs.
Notes
Size recommendation: Dust bathing is often a communal activity. Choose a container that is wide enough to accommodate several members of the flock at once.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!