Do I need to "make" a dust bath?

[sarahandbray]

My chicks are 10-weeks-old and have been out in their coop/run/pasture for 5-weeks. They tend to dust bathe in the run where the ground is all dirt and not grassy. It's been raining here in upstate, NY and that's got me thinking--do I need to make an indoor dust bath for the chickens for the winter? The coop is 10x10, so I guess I have room, but where to put it?!?
What do I put in it?

 

[Blooie]

Great that you're thinking ahead to the winter doldrums, when they are getting bored and can get cranky. A dust bath in the coop is a great idea, especially since you have the space for it. Any old thing will work - mine is in one of those big rubber horse watering pans. Folks have used old sandboxes from neighbors, yard sales or Craig's List, washtubs, even those oversized flower pots. If it will hold dirt and a chicken, you're all set!

 

[mtngirl35]

Don't put it under a roost or they will poop all in it.

 

[sarahandbray]

How about a clean plastic kitty litter tub? Too small?

 

[mtngirl35]

How about a clean plastic kitty litter tub? Too small?

Should work fine.

 

[centrarchid]

I use large wash tubs filled about 1/4 full with mix of a silt-loam and peat moss rich potting soil. Ideally it be in direct sun between hours of 1000 and 1600 as that peak range of dust bathing times. Dust bathing temporarily disrupts insulator value of pelage / body feathers so they like to be in relatively warm locations while dusting. Such also drier.

 

[sarahandbray]

Huh. Ok..but where do I put an actual dust bath outside so it doesn't get wet and soggy and muddy? Right now, my pasture is still fine but the dog run part of it is muddy & wet. Yuck.

 

[centrarchid]

I assume you are some northern latitude. If you have 8/*an area protected from rain then it has a roof. During winter you can place dusting near south facing opening protected from rain yet exposed to mid day sun.