Dust baths in freezing temps?

[Wissa38]

Hi,

I think I might be dealing with a lice issue with my chickens. They live in a clean, non heated chicken house with a large area outside to roam. During most of the year they have plenty of access to dirt and such to take dust baths. They dig holes all over the yard. However, it's now January in Vermont and everything is frozen solid. I'd like recommendations from other cold weather folks about how they provide dust bath opportunities when everything is a popsicle.

I've read about putting sand and dirt in a cat litter container, but that will freeze in no time flat.

Any suggestions welcome!

Kristen

 

[Angiebubs]

I keep a small rubber horse water trough (3 ft long by 1.5 ft deep) in the coop during the winter. I have dirt, wood ash, and Diamatous earth in it. They seem to enjoy this (makes the coop dusty) and its loose enough that it hasn't seemed to freeze.