How to Make a Dust Bath for Chickens!

Henlo! I am The President of Chickenlandia, a magical place where my urban rescue chickens (and a few ducks) live an awesome city-chicken-life. I want to thank you for watching my video on how to make a dust bath for chickens. It's so easy to provide your chickens with the dust bath they need to be healthy! Dust bathing birds is a vital deterrent for keeping mites away from your chickens and help them stay happy and healthy. Your backyard chickens will love it and I hope you do too! #chickenlandia #welcometochickenlandia #backyardchickens
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Disclaimer Notice: The content of the Welcome to Chickenlandia KZbin Channel, website, blog, vlog, and all social media is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dependence on any information appearing on the Welcome to Chickenlandia KZbin Channel, website, blog, vlog, and social media sites is entirely at your own risk. Please do your own research and make your own informed decisions regarding the health of your chickens.

[@BigDreamsTinyBudget]

Great Video, I need to check into those herbs. Do your hens ever play the xylophone you have hanging in there or do they just use it to ring the butler for more food? giggles

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

LOL they NEVER play it hahaha. Maybe if I put peanut butter on it??

[@BigDreamsTinyBudget]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia or hang some mealy worms on it hehe

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Exactly!

[@kavanibenguche5524]

Tgl-t flak gm ljuu

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Nice

[@pagnange]

A dust bath is essential for a fit and healthy chook, It stops the mites and makes them have a certain chooky look. Every chicken keeper has their own dustbathy way, But using herbs as seen right here can keep bad smells at bay. Madam President your info hits the spot once more, ALL HAIL CHICKENLANDIA, A pleasure not a chore. 👍🤗🥁❤

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Thank you!! You really “get” the spirit of chickenlandia!

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Thank you!! You really “get” the spirit of Chickenlandia!

[@jeremygray6628]

How early can they have a dusk bath

[@user-dg4bh1mm7t]

@@jeremygray6628 right after the sun goes down

[@Bean56_]

This will be my fist year with chickens. I wasn’t planning on getting them really but found one in a ditch during a rain storm at 12:30 am. Not sure if she was sat out, got lost or something tried to pack her off. She seemed scared and she had some feathers missing. Now she has 9 sisters and is on her way to a big coop and run. :)

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Awww. Thank you for saving her.

[@Bean56_]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia :) ❤️

[@critterfestsanctuary2446]

Just please keep your coop away from your house. I had mice tunneling under the ground into my house YIKES !!!

[@Bean56_]

@@critterfestsanctuary2446 oh yes. We have creek rats every once in a while come in the yard. They are at the other end of our yard.

[@joanrichter4718]

Awwww , God bless you!

[@zoesmith9115]

I just put out a dust bath for my 8 chickens today..They explored it for a bit.. when I came back about 20 minutes later they were ALL snuggled up in the dust bath together.. it was so cute!

[@malcolmpayne9517]

I know a lot of people that use First Saturday Lime in the dust baths, instead of diatomaceous earth. It's not harmful to humans or chickens.

[@MargaretCampbell-rn6xe]

Thankyu for making this so clear. I am new with chickens and want to do things right. Learning every day.

[@cmjudco]

I love watching your videos....not only are they informative but YOU crack me up! I love your upbeat, positive outlook and that you can laugh at yourself...the fogging of your glasses still makes me laugh!

[@quirkychelle]

I know this is almost a year old, but just discovered you! I am in Ontario, Canada and am so glad to find someone who has winters!!! I mix diatematicous earth, wood ash and dirt!!! The birds love it!!!

[@pampjl]

Hi I’m from the US. I also just found her channel as well. I do not have any chickens yet but I’m learning. She has a really awesome site 💜

[@aboothe76]

What are the ratios of the three? Or does it matter? Tysm!!

[@quirkychelle]

@@aboothe76 thanks for asking! I have never thought about it before! In my case, because I live in Ontario, Canada and it's sooo damp...I aim for 3/4 dirt, 1/8 d.e. and 1/4 ashes. The hens usually add some straw 😆 🤣

[@aboothe76]

@@quirkychelle thank you!!! Built a box yesterday and going to put it all in this morning! 🥰🐓🐔🐥🫶❤️

[@quirkychelle]

@@aboothe76 they'll be such happy cluckers!

[@francesviegas5999]

Just love you....and your info! Every one needs to live more on their animals!♥️ Be blessed in the name of Jesus!

[@southernyankeedoll1984]

We use large plastic concrete mixing pans as our 7 boys & 11 girls like to bathe together. They are $20 at Home Depot!

[@Aangel452]

Great tips as always, your trials and errors are helping us all give our chickens a better life. Love the xylophone on the wall for them to peck at!😇

[@lpmoron6258]

I love your chicken palace! So bright and roomy. And cute.

[@patty9265]

I just came across your channel and I love it. You are a joy to watch and have great information that I will be needing . I plain on getting my coop up this fall so I will be needing all the info I can get. Especially since Aim afraid of chicken . I will probably only start with 4. I live in Fl. and it hot so I'm worried all ready.

[@Rm-ks8gg]

I love your attitude. You are such a joy to watch I have new chickies and ducklings They are such a blessing Thank you for sharing all your ideas❤️🙏🏻

[@jeanburgin160]

great information. thanks for sharing.

[@blkmjcwmn61]

My chickens love their dust bath so much they will get into it before I can put it back in the coop. All 6 try to get in it together.😂

[@EnglishCountryLife]

I love this video. Some superb information and very timely given that most chicken keepers are unable to provide dry outdoor dust baths right now.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Thank you!! I really appreciate you watching.

[@crackerjack010101]

I made my own dust bath for them the week I got them. I used cement edging to create an enclosure, secured them with landscape staples so they can’t dig around and move them. They explored it straight away and absolutely love it. Just have to keep it topped off for them. I would caution about the use of so much wood ash. When your girls get wet that can become a problem, wood ash is where we get lye, it’s very caustic to the skin. I’m sure it works great to ward off pests, mites but I would be leery of being so liberal with it.

[@dianasoto-wilberg5010]

Thank you so much, great video! I’ve learned so much from watching your very Informative videos

[@cuddlebuddy88mc]

Nice bucket of black gold. Pretty ducks.

[@adaywithaleks6556]

You're such a great and fabulous chicken mamma..like that dust bath was 5***** luxury spa treatment right there! ❤😅

[@ronoconnor8971]

Glad you said something. I used de for my pool, so now i need to check

[@angietorok8389]

Thank you for making this clear and simple for a newbie. Can't believe how complicated some people make this out to be. You are the best chicken channel!! Why didn't I come here first?

[@AlmostHomestead]

Good stuff. I like the idea of adding herbs. Have a good weekend!

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Makes it smell so good!

[@memesjenkins2104]

Still my favorite tip to share with a new chicken owner. Only thing i do different is i like the kitty litter box that has the lid.

[@Nadine----]

Diatomaceous earth, I'm French Canadian and I thought this word was a mouth full. 🥴 But you didn't stumble once.😜 I'm on a rampage on your channel. Wonderful tricks. My chickens are going to love me, thanks to you. 🐔🐓 I wish you all a beautiful summer.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Aww thank you! I hope you have a great summer as well. :-)

[@tinaf.5546]

Our chickens did the same thing as your black hen with the new dust bath. They would get in the dust bath tub and check it out and hop out. But I think it took the next day and they started using it. I love your videos!

[@lsieu]

I love the encouragement to "do your own research." We are each responsible for our own lives and how we go about it deserves consideration. I thought the wood ash was an interesting.

[@sweetpeanmolly]

I’ll grow sweet Annie! In the fall, I will collect all of those small leaves and save them for the chicken coop. Smells fantastic.

[@rosesmith6208]

awwww did not think of using herbs now I knw and will do so. your chickens are so cute, they all have such different personalities, like mine

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Yes, I love that about them!

[@marywright606]

thanks for the dust bath in a bin idea. my chicken "yard" gets wet here in the PNW! so, I know they are going under the coop but I might be able to bring a portable dustbath also!

[@AlongTheRiverHomestead]

I swear your in my brain! I was just talking to Chris about getting them something for dust baths! We don't have access to wood ash but can for sure get everything else! Thanks President!

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Yay!! Let me know how it goes. One of the chickens finally used theirs yesterday lol!

[@13MoonsOverMayhem]

Great information! Also, you're adorable in your raspberry beret. :)

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

lol thank you!! 🐔❤️👩🏽‍🎨

[@MidlifePrices]

I need a dust bath. 😆 Another awesome video!❤️👍

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

It’s like dry shampoo for chickens! 🤣❤️

[@sherriberkley188]

Love your different eye glasses frames

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Thank you!!

[@Celestes_Nest]

This was a great share!! I think I'm going to add some fresh herbs (rosemary & sage) in the coop to add that amazing smell as well. Thanks!!

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Perfect idea! 🐔🐔🐔

[@francemifsud9223]

You have the same hobby like me. Love you from Malta

[@SimplyBackwoods]

Thank you 😀

[@ironrose888]

I just discovered your channel and I love it! We are building a bird coop and making it predator proof (as much as we can). I need to find out where you get the herbs and order more food grade DE. I like it that you have a variety of birds together.

[@williambabin9254]

Great videos I learned a lot thank you

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

I’m so glad!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! I was in suspense at the end.😆👍

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

LOL They keep you guessing!

[@lindamann3970]

I love your videos!

[@ASmileAdayful]

Hi I'm a new chick mummy as of yesterday😁 Polish bantam, speckled Sussex bantam, and speckled hen. 9 weeks old, and I'm in love. I am impressed with your ways, live your personality 👍 I'm off to see if I can source items for this in the UK. Thank you so much 😘

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Sounds like a super fun flock!

[@yzettasmith4194]

I'm envious of your yard dirt.

[@dailynature3712]

great entertainment for chickens

[@nancyfahey7518]

I just put my DE in a picnic ketchup bottle and squirt it out on the coop floor. I'm in Florida where it's all sand. But I am going to check out the herb mixture. Sounds good.

[@VanessaLopez-uj5tw]

Hi. Thank you for your videos. They have been very informative and helpful. This is our first time with baby chicks. How soon is a good time to provide them with the dust bath?

[@mk_78]

You've probably heard of First Saturday Lime, I'm going to try that instead of de. Have you tried fsl for anything? Btw, love your videos! I only found you this week and I think they are great 👍🏻

[@MyBearhugger]

Thanks for caring about chickens and teaching some reasonable, basic ways for taking care of our feathered friends. It makes me sad to see them mishandled or treated disrespectfully. Many people know about dogs and cats. But chickens? They are just as personable, lovable (maybe not as smart - but who cares?) and worthy of good care. Love your little Kiki! Has she got Hamburg in her? Body size/shape, colors and spunkiness suggest she has silver spangled Hamburg in her. What a doll!

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Thank you so much. Kiki was a Serama. She passed away a couple months ago. ❤️

[@MyBearhugger]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia That's so sad to lose a bird. I'm sorry.

[@MargaretCampbell-rn6xe]

Great !

[@atlantamoon]

Great video. Thanks you 😄

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

I'm so glad you liked it!

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

I'm so glad you liked it!

[@kodiwilliamson-independent6068]

Great video, I am just discovering this one. How long are the dust baths good for? Do you empty them and replace the items or just replenish?

[@tammysmith6421]

You're a great chicken mommy 🐔🐔

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Thank you!!

[@user-mp1gr4ri8i]

Thank you

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

You are welcome!

[@mamacox03]

I just found you this week. I love your videos!! This is my 1st winter with chickens. Would you have an estimate of much of each ingredient to add to make the dust bath? And I don’t have or know anybody with a fireplace. Any idea where I could get wood ash?

[@jungbechtospk40]

I did it with the Woodglut plans.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Interesting!

[@jungbechtospk40]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia Yes it is ✌️✌️

[@jungbechtospk40]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia I'm glad you love it ! ❤️

[@mrdiyguy123]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia woodglut plans are simply a marketing site for wood working plans. Their sales people post comments on any and every type of completely unrelated youtube video. The comments containing the word "Woodglut" somehow it ends up generating revenue for them. Many youtube content creators don't tolerate their posts and will delete them. You can decide if that is what you want to do which includes deleting all related posts, including mine. I will not be offended :)

[@ManisbyHeather]

I just love your videos! We are new chicken owners and they have helped so much! Is your chicken course still available? Thanks!

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Yes!! welcometochickenlandia.com/online-course/

[@deborahlantz3874]

We made our dust bath out of peat moss and diatomaceous earth(Food Grade). Our yard is all clay, not good for dust bath. I want to get those herbs you use. My chickens started using it almost immediately after putting it down for them. They love it, and there will be 2-3 chickens in it at the same time. I love your information you share. This is the first time I've ever had chickens, so I'm watching every video and reading everything I can get my hands on to educate myself. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@debraowen6723]

Deborah, hey 👋 from another Debra. I used to live on the central coast of California. It was clay soil. We used a deep litter of free wood chips in the chicken yard-like 8 " deep. After a year, underneath the chips, I noticed nice black soil! All the poo, rototilling by the hens and spring rain, combined to make the most beautiful potting soil you ever saw! I kept adding wood chips on top as they broke down. Oh, got piles of free chips from the pg&e linemen, trimming the trees away from their lines. I asked, pointed and they dumped! So, it's something you cd try on that clay soil. It will take a long time but the hens do the work for you once you get the chips into their yard and they LOVE IT! You can wet it down in summer and it cools them and oh btw, you will have no FLYS! ❤

[@giancolabird]

I was a new chicken owner when I went to the run and saw holes everywhere...like those lunar moon shots. Turned out they were making dust baths. I had no idea.

[@my2cents49]

Right, who knew?

[@TheHaskinsFamilyVlog]

Lots of great info!! My chickens have made their own dust bath area, but I think this would be a good idea to add to their run! The only thing is I don't have anything to keep over it so it stays dry when it rains. Unless I just placed it under their coop. What are your thoughts?

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

You could try it under the coop and see if they will use it! That’s what I would do.

[@ostrongone]

I love chickens I have them rn

[@gnomielove7232]

I like cutting sprigs of lavender that do the same thing. Also helps with insects. SMELLS GRREAT!

[@kkadachris]

I’m like you I love my chickens❤

[@beverlymichael5830]

Love to hear more about zeolite and what brands and how much you use etc.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

You can get zeolite clay at any farm store. I like the brand Sweet PDZ. I use it pretty generously in my coop since I have so much moisture but I would experiment with it.

[@beverlymichael5830]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia thank you. I found it at my local farm Store. 👍

[@user-gy8nl1nd9h]

Please tell me where you get your awesome glasses? Thank you so much.

[@janewanjiku1016]

Hi!good information,can this mixture be used on dogs goats and cats?

[@filipinanewfieblog9404]

great video thanks for sharing,new subscriber here ,

[@marlylarochelle2477]

You are a great chicken mommy! Thank you this really helps, I'm a new chick mommy, only have 3 to start out.. do you have the amounts of each ingredient of this recipe or just eye it. Not sure if you wrote it in one of the answers.. Thank you!!

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

I am terrible at measurements so I just eyeball it! I would just be sure to make the bulk of it either sand or dirt. :-)

[@joanrichter4718]

I just watched another video from another channel that recommended just diatomaceous earth for the desk bath. What are your thoughts? Thank you so much

[@annakinder8750]

The first time I bought DE, it was white food grade, my daughter picked up my next bag it was gray food grade, but I worry it might not be the best food grade

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

It's actually grey in its natural form so I think it's fine if it is grey as long as it's labeled food grade. :-)

[@ront3126]

Is there any place in the Seattle area to purchase wood ash, also do you use sand in your dust bath at all? Thank you so much!

[@grimeyhonkyracing3938]

Do you recommend a red light warming lamp over the dust bath in winter?

[@StayAKTV]

I love your videos! Thank you for all the info, I’m raising chicks for the first time and watch your videos everyday to help guide me on this journey. Question, can I use the same dust bath formula for my 4 week old chicks?

[@carlamahlberg1854]

What would you recommend when it comes to getting the right sand? I thought play sand was bad for chicks because it can cause an impacted crop.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

For baby chicks I would just use plain dirt with nothing added. If you’re concerned about playground sand I would also just use dirt with DE and/or wood ash for adult chickens.

[@woodsie5796]

❤

[@trinityriverhomestead]

I have dirt and food grade DE. Is the wood ash super necessary?

[@brendascott4191]

Can you do a coop tour or do you already have one I am new to your group

[@ZenThruAnger]

I can see once they realize the purpose they will begin dusting themselves. I watched another of your videos and it had one with a cover over it. Is that recommended once they are using it, as I can see it may minimize the dust in the air? I've been wanting to set up an area for this as I have been dusting by hand using food grade diatomaceous earth and its been a hassle.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

I really like the one with the top for inside the coop, to minimize dust. They use it every single day and love it! There is usually a line for it haha.

[@mnp5404]

i'm finding all kinds of conflicting advice about diatomaceous earth (food grade). Some insist it kills microbes in the compost and the deep litter, others insist it doesn't. Do you have any thoughts on this? TIA!

[@joanrichter4718]

Sorry if you said this… But I don’t have a wood-burning stove. Can you buy wood ash? Thank you so much. I’m continuing to binge watch all your videos. And I think I’m going to take the online course. I have to do the best for my chicks

[@jessemoral330]

If you have anyone who has a fireplace and ONLY burns Wood then getting some ash from them would be the easiest option. I assume you don't have the ability to sit out somewhere some night around a 🔥

[@deborah.q]

I recently bought food grade diatomaceous earth but its grainy and not powdery. Do you think it will be ok to use as a dust bath? Thanks!!

[@AlexRSN]

My coop is a bit too small to put a large litter box in with everything else. Would putting it in the run work?

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Yes! As long as water can't get into it, should be fine!

[@melblues3847]

I once tried something similar, mine never went near it except to poop in it! I hope yours do better.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Silly chickens!!

[@moniquevanderharst7334]

I live in a tropical country where the products you suggest aren't available. Can I just us builder or beach sand instead? The chickens love using sand during dry season and I haven't seen any sifn of parasite infestations. Now, during monsoon season, it is too wet.

[@PaulinaAllure]

How often do you need to change the dust bath?

[@MLPH09]

I live in England that have to get some of those herbs and things to make the dust bath do you are they sold in England can you let me know thank you very much

[@evelynrogers7145]

I used some peat moss , construction sand and soil and Food Grad DE

[@andreaseawright5847]

What are the ratios of ingredients? I can estimate but I’m working on typing out lists of things that are needed (also so my kids can learn). Please and thank you☺️❤️🐓🐣

[@dreamsofdusk]

what ratio do you use? and how deep should it be?

[@builtontherockhomestead9390]

I dumped several buckets of ash from the burn barrel on the ground in an area I knew they took baths and needed soil. Took them several months to discover it.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Haha silly chickens! Mine are already using theirs, which makes me happy because if they didn't this video would have made me look pretty silly LOL!!

[@builtontherockhomestead9390]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia my chickens have a much bigger area to roam then yours. But glad yours likes their dust bath.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

@@builtontherockhomestead9390 Lucky chickens!

[@Asmile4DonOnly]

DE is the best

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Right???

[@JenniferoftheSea]

Does the dust bath go inside the coop or outside in the run? Thanks!

[@my2cents49]

In the run

[@knotqueen2419]

Was Goo the first one in the dust bath?

[@robyn8842]

are there any herbs i could add to the dust bath that will repel chickens? or are all herbs good?

[@ANDYYSHAWW118]

Can i use burned tree ash? If so is there any not too

[@farrahpace3047]

Hello ! 😃 can you do this or a version of this for baby chicks? My chicks are trying to dust bathe in their food! 😂

[@my2cents49]

It works for babies as well. Just use less ash and DE probably for the littles, but they start early. No sand for babies. It can be weird early on, they'll stretch out and look like they're twitching. I thought my chick was dying cause I didn't know they do this but now it's funny.

[@LorisRVLife]

Question.. I clicked on the link for the organic nesting herbs but,, this is the notice I got. *Oops, This Page Could Not Be Found!* Do you have another link for this product? Thanks,, Lori

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

They stopped selling that product but this one works! myfavoritechicken.com/product/nest-box-herbs-for-hens-organic-non-gmo/

[@Kristin95762]

Catnip for chickens

[@cmmrris1]

Can the diatomaceous earth be already around the coop, in their shavings or something? It’s warm wear I love year round and I don’t need a dust bath for them. But I would like to get rid of what ever is biting them in the coop

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

If you think they are getting bitten by something, it's important to treat each individual bird. And you can put DE wherever they are dustbathing. Just don't put it everywhere all over the yard, because it also kills off beneficial insects and can disturb the ecosystem in your chicken yard. :-) This video may help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZm1mJSbfLh9r6s

[@cmmrris1]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia thank you. Can I throw it all over the coop though?

[@debracrow9656]

First time chicken owner, question 1 do you put dust bath out only in fall/winter or year round? Question 2 do you put dust bath in coop or leave outside? Thanks

[@anneharrington7951]

Use it when nothing else is available. When they are cooped up because of snow, etc.