Dust bath bin for inside coop- How deep should it be?

[daniellea2912]

So I have decided to put a few dust bath bins inside my coop, mostly for bad weather days my flock is cooped up inside. I have found 2 of these things-

that were laying around that I would like to use rather that buy or build something. However I was wondering- it is only about 3 1/2 inches deep. Will that be deep enough? I understand they might kick some of the sand/dirt out of it, but with that depth, will they be able to bathe well enough? (I have noticed outside in their favorite spots they have dug out holes that are like 8-10 inches deep) or will they just end up kicking all the bathing material out onto the coop floor?

Also- I have 2 chinchillas and have some dust (made from pumice) I bought for them but didnt like it (too gritty, didnt clean them well) Is it ok to mix in with the chickens dust bath? it would only be a small percentage of the whole mixture.

Thanks!!

 

[kelseyc]

My chickens dig deep 8-10 inch holes to lay in and cool off. But they fluff in smaller holes about 2-4 inches deep. I think you will be just fine using those! great idea too!

Hope it all works out,

 

[BrickWall Honey]

We keep a cheap large plastic kitty litter pan with ashes in the coop for bad days they don't go out.

 

[BillM2]

That may be too shallow as they're likely to kick out your material. I use a large galvanized tub, about 30" in diameter and 12"
deep. They hop in and have a bath. I've added some diatamaceous earth to the fine and medium sand mixture. They love it! But give your's a try and see what happens.

 

[daniellea2912]

That may be too shallow as they're likely to kick out your material. I use a large galvanized tub, about 30" in diameter and 12"
deep. They hop in and have a bath. I've added some diatamaceous earth to the fine and medium sand mixture. They love it! But give your's a try and see what happens.

I went ahead and put them in the coop to see what happens, as of right now they are freaked out as to what is occupying the corner of their coop to get too close..... Once they get used to it, hopefully they wont fling all the bathing mix out.... we'll see.

We keep a cheap large plastic kitty litter pan with ashes in the coop for bad days they don't go out.

Thanks! if this doesnt work I'll probably get those next

My chickens dig deep 8-10 inch holes to lay in and cool off. But they fluff in smaller holes about 2-4 inches deep. I think you will be just fine using those! great idea too!

Hope it all works out,

Thanks, I hope so too!

 

[aart]

I'd go deeper, they will fling it all over the place. Mine's about 10 inches deep and some still gets flung out.

 

[daniellea2912]

I'd go deeper, they will fling it all over the place. Mine's about 10 inches deep and some still gets flung out.

That's what I was afraid of... the 2 trays are beside each other (form somewhat of a square) in the corner of the coop so only 2 sides are unprotected, the others have the walls. If they fling it too much i am going to add some plywood up higher to keep it in. As of yet they havent bathed in them....the weathers been nice enough for them to go outside and use their preferred dirt holes. I did see a few footprints through the sand though so someone at least got up the nerve to walk thru