Do chickens use mulch to make a dust bath?

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Hello, I recently got enough mulch delivered to cover my run and under the coop. I am concerned about covering every inch, because i feel the six week old pullets prefer some natural ground which is dirt. What is your opinion?

 

[black_cat]

How large is your run? You can always add tire dust baths like @CHlCKEN has (she can show a pic) and cover the whole ground. You could also get some sand to mix in if you think it should be dustier.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

How large is your run? You can always add tire dust baths like @CHlCKEN has (she can show a pic) and cover the whole ground. You could also get some sand to mix in if you think it should be dustier.

20x8 ft

 

[CHlCKEN]

How large is your run? You can always add tire dust baths like @CHlCKEN has (she can show a pic) and cover the whole ground. You could also get some sand to mix in if you think it should be dustier.

I found these tires abandoned in the woods. Old tires wee everywhere if you know where to look. I've got to have at least 5 other sets up there. I used truck tires (and one regular tire) since those were just what I chose to bring down but if you’re confined to a small run space use car tires because they’re smaller and won't take up too much room.

 

[CHlCKEN]

20x8 ft

Mine is 21x9. Similar, I would try recycled car tires. I used play sand in mine.

 

[black_cat]

20x8 ft

Wooo! That's plenty of space to make it all look nice by spreading the mulch and giving designated dust baths. Another idea is one of those turtle sand boxes:

With the bonus that you can cover them if it rains.

 

[3KillerBs]

They'll be happy to dig down to the dirt when they want to. I can lose a Brahma in some of the holes she's dug.

Sometimes mine prefer sandier dust baths, sometimes they prefer more organic material.

 

[blackdog043]

I am concerned about covering every inch, because i feel the six week old pullets prefer some natural ground which is dirt. What is your opinion?

Make a pile of mulch and watch how fast they spread it out for you. They'll cover every inch for you. They will dig down and have a nice dust bath also!

 

[aart]

Make a pile of mulch and watch how fast they spread it out for you. They'll cover every inch for you. They will dig down and have a nice dust bath also!

View attachment 2710491

Ditto Dat!