Dust Bath location

[PhenixJiRa]

Does anyone have a trick to get chickens to do a dust bath in a particular spot?

I have an enclosed run with lots of sand and other dust bath materials, but they keep doing it under the perches and getting pooped on.

I don’t have room to put a tire. I do have a location specifically for them but they don’t all use it. In the last two days I’ve had two chickens I’ve had to clean.

Any tricks of the trade?

 

[wrathsfarm]

They keep us busy trying to figure them out. Just when you think you got it... Nope, left turn.

Pics might help here. I know that I fashioned a huge dust bath out in the yard. Filled it all up with 5-6 wheelbarrows and they never used it. Seems mine like dust bathing under cover/trees/our boat, or in their covered section of their run.
But you said your run is covered so.... Hmmmm

Maybe if you scraped a depression in your selected spot they might try that. Or put a sign there that says "Dust Bath Here"..

 

[Tonyroo]

Use a shovel trowel to loosen 1 foot of dirt in the location. Then carve out a large bowl shape in the dirt to fit 3 chickens. Throw a small amount of scratch or something they like in the center of it.

They should scratch the area to test the looseness of the dirt then bathe in it. You need to periodically redo the steps if gets to compact.

 

[wrathsfarm]

How about keep the dust bath where they want it and move that perch?

 

[PhenixJiRa]

They keep us busy trying to figure them out. Just when you think you got it... Nope, left turn.

Pics might help here. I know that I fashioned a huge dust bath out in the yard. Filled it all up with 5-6 wheelbarrows and they never used it. Seems mine like dust bathing under cover/trees/our boat, or in their covered section of their run.
But you said your run is covered so.... Hmmmm

Maybe if you scraped a depression in your selected spot they might try that. Or put a sign there that says "Dust Bath Here"..

The sign might work LOL!!
I’ve made holes and framed things and they just do it wherever they want.
I moved things around and blocked things off so maybe they will do it. Oy!

 

[Jenbirdee]

I have the same problem with mine. silly hens!

 

[PhenixJiRa]

I have the same problem with mine. silly hens!

I think it’s a conspiracy!

 

[Tonyroo]

Just takes one to use and the rest should follow.

 

[PhenixJiRa]

How about keep the dust bath where they want it and move that perch?

Right! Well, they keep changing their mind. I have tons of room under the actual coop, but they won’t do it there. I have room in the middle of the run, but they won’t do it there either. I think they’re messing with me!

I am working on moving the perches a bit to see if that helps and maybe put some obstacles underneath them

 

[Insnesnakos]

Mine like to bathe in the garden beds
Or they dig an area to bathe