Dust bath ideas

[Mamaof13]

Is it okay to use an old tire as a dust bath? I am worried about chemical fumes affecting the chickens.

 

[paintedChix]

Is it okay to use an old tire as a dust bath? I am worried about chemical fumes affecting the chickens.

I have scrubbed old tires, composted chicken run littrr & planted flowers & herbs in them.

I have then had a few that hadn't grown anything & the chickens turned them i to their dust baths. All tires were outside.

I don't have pics of them dust bathing in one...

 

[Mamaof13]

I’ve been using a tire for their dust bath for several months now and they love it, but recently (since the weather has been getting quite warm) I’ve noticed the smell of rubber or petroleum—even on their feathers when they come out of the bath. That’s what is so concerning to me. The tire is outside and in an open area.

 

[paintedChix]

I’ve been using a tire for their dust bath for several months now and they love it, but recently (since the weather has been getting quite warm) I’ve noticed the smell of rubber or petroleum—even on their feathers when they come out of the bath. That’s what is so concerning to me. The tire is outside and in an open area.

Years ago, I did a lot of searching regarding off gassing of tire fumes. If I remember correctly, it seemed like it was 50/50 as to it being good/bad.

I had those same tires out in the sun here in NC & have not noticed any petroleum scent. Not around tires or on the chickens. I'm pretty sensitive to the scent, too. I have noticed that not all my hens/roos use the tires or hang around them...

Some don't seem to like any plastic at all - not even drinking/eating out of anything plastic - especially in the summer when they are in direct sunlight. But will drink/eat out of aluminum, tin & steel.

Edit - i have been to some different livestock farms, horses & cattle, that utilized cut tires for fencing. I do remember one place that had the "tire smell", both emanating from fencing & on both cattle & horses that rubbed on it. I can't remember now if "the why the smell" was dressed. Also, have been to a few places that have used shredded tires as mulch. Some had the "tire smell" & some did not. I know that i wouldn't use the mulch...

 

[Mamaof13]

Years ago, I did a lot of searching regarding off gassing of tire fumes. If I remember correctly, it seemed like it was 50/50 as to it being good/bad.

I had those same tires out in the sun here in NC & have not noticed any petroleum scent. Not around tires or on the chickens. I'm pretty sensitive to the scent, too. I have noticed that not all my hens/roos use the tires or hang around them... Some don't seem to like any plastic at all - not even drinking/eating out of anything plastic - especially in the summer when they are in direct sunlight. But will drink/eat out of aluminum, tin & steel.

I may be just worrying too much. You are right. People have been using tires for planting herbs etc. for years. You’re right about the opinion being 50/50. The chickens seem fine, no adverse effects. I’m an over protective mother. After all, they are my babies

 

[paintedChix]

Part of the reason I looked up off gassing, was my interest in "earthships" or quite nice & palatial homes built w/ rammed tires. A couple of websites had links to scientific info, but I don't know/have those sites anymore.

The difference between using the tires in those homes & as garden planters/chicken baths is that the homes are packed & "rammed" w/ a mix of sand/clays, then covered & finished. People never come into direct contact w/ the tires. I can't remember if they were vented in any way, but think not.

Out west, old tires from large equipment (semi, tractor, earth moving) often get a bottom put in & are used as livestock drink tanks. I don't remember ever seeing or hearing that those had issues. Bigger, longer lasting than galvanized tanks & easier to keep free of ice during wind driven blizzards & cold spells. Think because those huge tires are so much thicker walled than any other type of tank.

And just cuz I find it fasinating... Don't know if it's real, partially real or AI created. Popped up in my Pintrerest feed on recycling tires.

 

[Mamaof13]

Part of the reason I looked up off gassing, was my interest in "earthships" or quite nice & palatial homes built w/ rammed tires. A couple of websites had links to scientific info, but I don't know/have those sites anymore.

The difference between using the tires in those homes & as garden planters/chicken baths is that the homes are packed & "rammed" w/ a mix of sand/clays, then covered & finished. People never come into direct contact w/ the tires. I can't remember if they were vented in any way, but think not.

Out west, old tires from large equipment (semi, tractor, earth moving) often get a bottom put in & are used as livestock drink tanks. I don't remember ever seeing or hearing that those had issues. Bigger, longer lasting than galvanized tanks & easier to keep free of ice during wind driven blizzards & cold spells. Think because those huge tires are so much thicker walled than any other type of tank.

And just cuz I find it fasinating... Don't know if it's real, partially real or AI created. Popped up in my Pintrerest feed on recycling tires.View attachment 4101505

Love this!

 

[paintedChix]

And I completely forgot. I worked for a horse breeding operation as a late teen/young adult in CO. Early to mid-80s. They utilized those big tires in the pastures for feeding hay to both their imported breeding stock & the young horses. Both in pens & out on pasture.

Since then, I've often used tires to hold buckets or tubs for feeding our own ponies & a handful of horses. I believe it is Farnam that now produces different colors of tubs that you can put into 15/16" tires. Stabilizes them so "beastie" isn't knocking it about, wasting that precious feed.