Dust bath under coop

[hlhutchinson]

Our coop is a raised 4x4 with an attached run that has gravel. I made a dust bath in a larg tub put construction sand, dirt, and some DT they don't use it they just site on the side of the tub. Think I should clear out the the gravel under the coop and turn that into a dust bath space. I put up a barrier so the mixture stays somewhat contained

 

[CapricornFarm]

That sounds like a plan. They like to dig around, the pan is probably too shut in. Give it a try on the ground.

 

[Pstock44]

I used a rather small tub (about twice the size of a nest box) and it took them months before they started using it. At first the would look at it, stand on the edges and even walk through it. Now I can hardly keep sand in it. I'm going to get a larger tote soon so they have more room to dust in and maybe not throw so much sand out.

Like most things chickens, it takes time for them to get used to it and figure out what it's for.

 

[hlhutchinson]

I used a rather small tub (about twice the size of a nest box) and it took them months before they started using it. At first the would look at it, stand on the edges and even walk through it. Now I can hardly keep sand in it. I'm going to get a larger tote soon so they have more room to dust in and maybe not throw so much sand out.

Like most things chickens, it takes time for them to get used to it and figure out what it's for.

Thanks for the input

 

[hlhutchinson]

New dust box under coop. we under estimated how much sand we needed, will have to wait till our next trip for more. I have read way to many things about dust boxes from you need 1 part this to 1 part this with 1 part that. I think we are just going with sand

 

[Almost Acre]

Id at least add some fireplace ash with that sand, since its free.

 

[gregblackburn]

Our coop is a raised 4x4 with an attached run that has gravel. I made a dust bath in a larg tub put construction sand, dirt, and some DT they don't use it they just site on the side of the tub. Think I should clear out the the gravel under the coop and turn that into a dust bath space. I put up a barrier so the mixture stays somewhat contained

I have almost the exact same coop/run set up with gravel and I used a rubber feed pan for mine and they love it and use it all the time.

 

[hlhutchinson]

Id at least add some fireplace ash with that sand, since its free.

Do you have a fireplace? Or get it from someplace? we don't have a fire place where do you get your ash?

 

[hlhutchinson]

I have almost the exact same coop/run set up with gravel and I used a rubber feed pan for mine and they love it and use it all the time.

How big is it, thinking about winter if I need to put a dustbath in the coop if they won't go out side

 

[Almost Acre]

Do you have a fireplace? Or get it from someplace? we don't have a fire place where do you get your ash?

If you don't have a fireplace, have a bonfire in your yard if you can. This is what i do in the summer for ashes.