Am I doing the right thing - I'm new

[New farm girl]

My girls are in a run/coop, not free range. My run is 16' x 8' and has a metal roof and I currently have 7 chickens. My coop is 6' x 4'. I clean it every week or if it rains. I just heard about a dusting bath. Since my run is covered, can I build an area in the run? What needs to be in it? What size does it need to be? I really want them to be happy and healthy. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC.
Pictures? What are you using for run litter? My flock just digs holes in the wood chips/soil wherever they want and start bathing.

 

[deidreg]

Welcome! Sounds like you're off to a good start. Coop and run seems big enough for your flock. If you have dirt the chickens can dig in your run, they'll make their own dust baths.

I use an old tire filled with dirt for my hens.

 

[New farm girl]

Thank you!!!! I really appreciate your response. If I may ask another question, is there something you put on the dirt (i like the tire idea, I'm going to copy it), or just plain dirt?

 

[MissE]

Mine dug the grand canyon in the middle of their run. I have a good apron, so the bottom of the run is dirt.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Please show us photos and give us your general location so that we can consider your climate when giving you advice. You can add it to your profile.

My flock just digs holes in the wood chips/soil wherever they want and start bathing.

Same for mine. Sometimes it's out in the open,

And sometimes undercover,

 

[New farm girl]

Good idea! I'll take pictures tomorrow and add to profile. I'm in Southern Missouri

 

[deidreg]

Thank you!!!! I really appreciate your response. If I may ask another question, is there something you put on the dirt (i like the tire idea, I'm going to copy it), or just plain dirt?

I just got a few bags of top soil from the local hardware store. (Ground was already frozen for the winter.) I don't add anything else.

 

[Weeg]

Welcome! So happy to have you here! You are certainly doing the right thing! I use something like this for my run, and put the lid on when it rains. The love it! Most chickens will just make there own baths by making holes in the dirt though!
Here is what I use-

 

[New farm girl]

Thank you, I'll do it this weekend. I think you get colder temps than I do. I'm in southern Missouri