Opps. I forgot about the perlite in potting soil

[saysfaa]

Just observation.

I think they will not be harmed by the perlite they are happily picking out of the potting soil I just refilled their dust bath tub with. I hope they won't.

Now, after dumping it in, I remember why I wasn't going to use the bucket of old potting soil that has been in the way in the garage since I decided it was too worn out to use in the seed trays last spring or the tomato pots through the summer. Those little white styrofoam-looking bits are just too enticing for the bird brains to leave alone.

Sigh. Their bath has been low for weeks. I kept thinking I would go to the farm soon where I can get good sandy soil. Or the beach. I finally did get to the beach and, of course, all the sand that wouldn't hurt the stabilization efforts was frozen.

The chickens started taking dust baths in their bedding so I decided not to wait any longer and to buy a bag of sand. Then was cleaning the garage before I could get to the store and found the bucket of potting soil... I thought, "oh, it doesn't have to be sand, it can be soil, or at least part sand and part soil." Totally forgot the other reason not to use this kind of soil.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Potting soil often contains fertilizers. Even my "spent" potting soil has the perlite and shells from the fertilizer capsules.

While that is a concern especially if it's fresh potting soil my hens have occasionally taken dust baths in my half barrel planters that have spent potting soil in them with no ill effects.

It's good to remind people that potting soil isn't the best option.

Thanks for posting your experience.

 

[KyCoop]

I use the "organic" dirt they have at the big box store. They look at me crazy when they have to let me in the locked garden center in January to buy frozen bags of it.

 

[alwaystj9]

As much as my chickens like styrofoam, is perlite that different?

 

[DickMidnight]

perlite is expanded volcanic glass. it’s non toxic and not all that different than grit, so i don’t think the perlite in your potting mix should be any worry.

 

[saysfaa]

Perlite is some sort of ceramic or ceramic-type glass substance from volcanos. It is probably safer than styrofoam as far as degrading or not or reacting chemically. Not that styrofoam does much of that either.

Its purpose in potting soil is to even out water in the soil so it absorbs then releases water - I suppose that isn't particularly good for chickens.

It might have some affect in filling them up without giving any nutrients.

Mine are young adult chickens, not even laying very much in these dark days so I think they are at their least vulnerable time. And there isn't that much of it even if they go after all of it at once.

I'm just irritated at myself for completely forgetting why I made the choices I did in the first place. And impulsively giving them something I'd previously decided wasn't a good choice.

 

[DickMidnight]

Its purpose in potting soil is to even out water in the soil so it absorbs then releases water

it just prevents potting soil from compacting. it doesn’t absorb water at all.

the perlite takes up space in the potting soil, creating air pockets so that water can drain more effectively.

 

[saysfaa]

Thank you. I tend to mix up the purposes of perlite and vermeculite

 

[DrDana]

Perlite is some sort of ceramic or ceramic-type glass substance from volcanos. It is probably safer than styrofoam as far as degrading or not or reacting chemically. Not that styrofoam does much of that either.

Its purpose in potting soil is to even out water in the soil so it absorbs then releases water - I suppose that isn't particularly good for chickens.

It might have some affect in filling them up without giving any nutrients.

Mine are young adult chickens, not even laying very much in these dark days so I think they are at their least vulnerable time. And there isn't that much of it even if they go after all of it at once.

I'm just irritated at myself for completely forgetting why I made the choices I did in the first place. And impulsively giving them something I'd previously decided wasn't a good choice.

You would be incorrect in saying the Perlite is Not Good for chickens. Perlite is completely harmless to chickens. In fact Perlite contains ,Calcium, Potassium, Iron and Magnesium. Also some small parts of Sodium and Aluminum. All in all its a lot like a small rock or rock fossil.They Chickens usually only eat it if they are in need of the nutrients it contains.Its much like Grit you would buy for them. Oh yeah STYROFOAM IS NOT GOOD FOR THEM OR US. It contains Polystyrene which is Styrene and has been proven to cause Cancer. Blindness, Nerve Disorders, Hearing loss and Memory loss to name a few. THE LIST IS BIG That goes for the chickens and You And I. I hope you get to read this It's Quite Important.
God Bless