DUST BATHING

[Oxland]

Hello all!
I would like to build a small 2' X 2' X 8" box to place inside the coop to give the girls a place to dust bathe. Can someone give suggestions as to what to add to this box? I have fine play sand, hardwood sawdust from my woodworking shop and hardwood ashes from the woodstove. Although, I think the ashes probably shouldn't be used. Maybe just use a bag of black dirt? Please reply. I hope this is the right place to post this. Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That will work. I'd also add food grade DE (diatomaceous earth).

 

[christineavatar]

I have heard that ashes are the best for a dust bath.

 

[Fierlin1182]

I've heard that sand is good to use. So really, what you have sounds fine! I'm sure they'll enjoy it. Our chickens seem to enjoy pecking through dirt as that gives them a bit of variation as to goodies they can find within.

 

[azygous]

Peat moss is great for dirt bathing. I use it in sand, and sifted pine duff from my natural dirt supply.

Actually, chickens will dirt bathe in anything available.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

This is a great question as I am ready to build a dusting area for them in the run. Right now they are demolishing the sides by trying to dustbathe right against the sides of the run and digging down. If the digging predators don''t get them, they will tunnel for them!

Anyway, how large of an area should I give 14 birds? My run is 20x24 ft. Maybe 3x3 ft in a corner?

 

[azygous]

As for how large to make your dirt bath box, picture how big it would need to be if all your chickens, including the roos, were to pile in, packed close like sardines. Because that is typically how they dirt bathe, in a tight pile all together. In complete, mindless joy and ecstasy.

 

[mondotomhead]

I just made a box for my chickens and filled it with almost one bag of peat moss and 2 bags of sand. You can get both at Home Depot. Below is my post with pictures of my chickens in their new dust bath box.




https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634799/dust-bath-chickens-pics

 

[fiddlebanshee]

How big is your box?

 

[mondotomhead]

Gheesh! I subscribed to this and never got a notification............

I think its 5 feet by 3 feet. Its a hinged piece of a 3-stack box that an engine (from work) shipped in. Sure beats hammering 2 x 4's together