Dust bath help?

[Shizuka]

Hello! I searched for a thread to see if my question was already answered, and couldn't seem to find one, so please accept my apologies if I missed it somewhere (these forums are HUGE!) Anyway, I've been trying to set up a dust bath for my chickens. I got a medium sized tub from the Dollar Tree and I thought it would work great when I put DE in it, but unfortunately, the chickens almost immediately tipped it over and made it useless. On top of that, it collects rainwater, and doesn't seem to dry very easily after the rain so they can use it again. Instead, they've been using a spot under the raised coop, but they're working a hole under the wrapping around the run and coop. I'm a little nervous it'll make it easier for a predator to get in, so I'd like to discourage this, and instead provide a better dust bath area. Which brings me to my question:

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make a sturdy and comfortable dust bath area that doesn't hold water and isn't easy to kick and knock around?

 

[DobieLover]

Bury your bin in their hole under the coop but DON'T put DE in it. Just put plain old dirt in it. If you're soil is heavy clay you can mix some sand and/or peat moss in the soil.

 

[DobieLover]

DE is a respiratory irritant. Lots of half educated people recommend it without knowing all the risks.

 

[jthornton]

I use a mixture of sifted dirt and wood ash (hardwood only).
This is Pig Pen... wonder how she got that name.


This one I built for my Cinnamon Queens



This is the one that the Rhode Island Red hens use.


Both use the same type of tubby and they have never tipped it over.

DON'T USE DE!

JT

 

[jthornton]

My Cinnamon Queen Hens all try to get in the dust bath at once when I put fresh bathing dust in there. There was 5 trying to get in at first but by the time I got back with my phone one had given up.



JT

 

[3KillerBs]

I just let my chickens dig their own dustbaths whereever they want them in the run or the dirt-floored coop.

 

[FBMcrazy8]

This is what I did. Just laid it out with loose bricks. I added sand and dirt from around the property to fill it up a little.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Ditto bury bin and add sand. They just need dry soil to make a bath in. I got DE in beginning I now just use in garden.

 

[WIchickMama]

I also let mine dig where they want, but recently sectioned off part of the run, cleared out the wood chips so there was just dirt and added some organic peat moss and they LOVE it and it has helped keep them from digging right next to the edge of the run

 

[TimonHens]

I am eyeing a small branch chipper to try and trade upfront costs for a more sustaining supply. Has to be better than pet mulch or bagged mulch. Definitely helps with the mud.