Any dust bath ideas?

[areyoumymother]

I have I guess what you would call an open air coop (see photo below) and am wondering what I need to add to make it more enjoyable for the chickies.

Any ideas for a dust bath ? Also do I need a roost? It has a wire covered 'shelf' right under the nesting boxes but not sure that will serve as a roost.

I put my 2 (5) week olds in a couple of days ago and they are doing great with one exception.

When the sun goes down they squack squack squack until I go out and lift them up off the ground and into the nesting boxes where they end sleeping all night, they have not figured out how the walk up the ramp.

 

[flowergirl60]

A wade pool with sand and DE I've heard works wonders. Or just some loose dirt in the wade pool. I haven't tried it yet b/c I have plenty of dirt in my backyard thanks to my gals.

 

[flowergirl60]

Wish I had some of that green grass you have there.

 

[kla37]

Before my girls were fully grown, I wouldn't let them roam the yard, and I put in a large plastic tub and filled it with 1/2 sand, 1/2 loose dry soil and some peat moss and DE. They LOVED it. Now that they go outside they just dig out shallow pits in strategic places around the yard and roll in the kids sandbox.

 

[areyoumymother]

great idea thanks flowergirl !

I anticipate the grass not lasting long once the full crew of 14 are in the 'big house'

It is a steel frame coop that is technically 'mobile' but super heavy so it will need to be pulled by the truck to a new location for fresh vegetation when the time comes

 

[areyoumymother]

Quote:
Thanks KLA37 !!! Good to know what to put in it.

 

[Countrypunk92]

Quote:
Thats a sweet coop. Yes put in a roost.

 

[sheaviance1]

Hey there! Loving the open air coop! That should be ideal for hot summers. I would add a roost for sure. When your girls are laying, you aren't gonna want them sleeping in your nest boxes

 

[areyoumymother]

Quote:
Thanks !

Yeah, it will come in handy during the hot Texas months of August and September.

Just yesterday I came up with a temporary solution that they seem to like.

I had a broken chair in the garage that I propped on its side that gets them about 2 feet off the ground, they seem to like it for now.

I guess you can call it a training roost

til I can come up with a more permanent solution and so they don't get used to sleeping in the nesting boxes.

 

[Denab]

We use D.E