Dust bath - How big does it need to be?

[Soon2BChixMom]

I used an old wheelbarrow for mine ...undercarriage was junk so I just cut it off and used the top ! As deep as the leaves are now in my deep litter run it's hard for the chickens to get to good dry dirt ! It's under a covered part of the run

I think I saw that. Great idea, but my wheelbarrow is still good. Darn it.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I would use the tire idea: a tire gives you drainage. A plastic liner won't.

I could add drainage holes. I think for now though, I’m going to remove it and add a different tub in later. I don’t have enough room in the run for a tire right now. The sq ft that I’m working with is 39. I know, 1sq ft short of the recommendations for 4 chickens. But, it’s better than what they started with. They did enjoy digging it out though. Lol. I could just keep giving them fresh dirt and let them scratch away at it. This area is full of worms! That probabaly means it’s too moist for a dust bath anyway.

 

[Mr Pink]

I think I saw that. Great idea, but my wheelbarrow is still good. Darn it.

Probably wasn't my post as I saw someone else post up pics of them doing the same thing , I haven't but whoever posted it was on the same wavelengths as me !

 

[sylviethecochin]

I think I saw that. Great idea, but my wheelbarrow is still good. Darn it.

Never even saw your post. I was writing when it appeared.

 

[par0027]

WE just let the new use our garden and where the old clothesline area has to be, if your happy with them using your garden just let them use that way they can forage for food

 

[Smuvers Farm]

We use a small baby splash pool. Got it at Walmart for $5 I think? Drilled drainage holes into the bottom. Girls love it!

 

[Chickassan]

I use one of those dumb little turtle sandboxes now, it can't be more than three feet across and six hens can get in there. The rooster has to wait.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Our dirt is loose enough for the flock to dust bathe just about anywhere, but even though I'd do outings with them, when they were a month old I filled a container with wood ash and would come into their room and find totally gray chickens.

I almost wrote kittens for some reason.

Anyway, I think my chickens would love a small used tire as a perch and dust bath combo station. I've been thinking a lot about this lately. It would be a great place for them to gather around for conversation while two or three are zombifying themselves with wood ash and dirt.

Chickens get bored, so it's my guess that if you give them something exciting like a tire filled with bathing material, it'll be a big hit, and I think they'll enjoy the warmth when the sun warms up the black rubber.

 

[fightingbunny]

I set up a wheelbarrow tub for them to dust bathe in. So far I think they are using it. I only go out in the morning, so I don't know what they do out there all day.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wheelbarrow-dirt-bath-area.1204652/

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I set up a wheelbarrow tub for them to dust bathe in. So far I think they are using it. I only go out in the morning, so I don't know what they do out there all day.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wheelbarrow-dirt-bath-area.1204652/

Ah, this is the wheelbarrow post I saw! Very creative. Too bad my wheelbarrow is still in good shape.