Dust Baths.

[jthornton]

I use an old tubby that is about 12" x 24" x 6" and sift out rocks from dirt so it is full of nice soft clean dirt. They would perch on the edge and take turns getting a dust bath. I kept it in a covered area of the run so it would stay dry.

JT

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

I use an old tubby that is about 12" x 24" x 6" and sift out rocks from dirt so it is full of nice soft clean dirt. They would perch on the edge and take turns getting a dust bath. I kept it in a covered area of the run so it would stay dry.

JT

Hmm. Maybe I should have done that. We practically grow rocks here in Missouri. Thanks for posting, JT!

 

[jthornton]

Hmm. Maybe I should have done that. We practically grow rocks here in Missouri. Thanks for posting, JT!

Yea, it's mostly rocky clay rock here but one spot under my overhang of the living room stays dry and I figured out it was the perfect dirt after watching my neighbors chickens take dust baths there so that's the spot I mine the dirt from. What part of Missouri are you in?

JT

 

[jeria]

Yea, it's mostly rocky clay rock here but one spot under my overhang of the living room stays dry and I figured out it was the perfect dirt after watching my neighbors chickens take dust baths there so that's the spot I mine the dirt from. What part of Missouri are you in?

JT

I have loess and clay with not many rocks here but not in the Ozarks. My DD's land on Truman lake grows rocks. Will be interesting once I get my run finished, right now my teenagers are locked in the coop, I did put a pan of dirt in there yesterday. Hope to have the run safe this weekend.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Yea, it's mostly rocky clay rock here but one spot under my overhang of the living room stays dry and I figured out it was the perfect dirt after watching my neighbors chickens take dust baths there so that's the spot I mine the dirt from. What part of Missouri are you in?

JT

South central. About 40 miles from Lebanon.

 

[ScottandSam]

Shell knob 1hr south of Springfield mo. Always looking for fbcm,silkie and bramhas eggs. Drop me a pm if you have anything. I've tried mo thread several times with no luck.

Sorry to get off track.
Scott

 

[GeorgiaChick229]

Should a dust bath be in the shade or sun? Covered or not covered?

 

[hlhutchinson]

(FYI I'm also a newbie)
I think the important part is that it stays dry, mine have a couple spots in the yard they like to have a dust bath in (besides the tomatoes buckets that they took over)

Depending on the time of day depends on if it's in the shade. Iv seen them take baths when its in the shade and when it's in the sun
I don't have a spot set up for them that's stays dry currently but will get one in place before winter hits (ugg that's just around the corner). After a rain things have dried out quick so I have not worried about it yet

I set up a spot under the coop with sand and they don't like it, so I'm going to add the dirt that's in the tomatoe buckets. I'm thinking this spot should stay dry (I'll save one bucket incase under the coop get wet/snowy that way they have a dry place to have a dust bath). I don't think they like the sand to dust bath in

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Yes, chickens are excellent tomato ripeness indicators, too. See, they wait until they're juuust right, and then bam. Tomato 's eaten.
Your hens look awful cute, by the way.

(FYI I'm also a newbie)
I think the important part is that it stays dry, mine have a couple spots in the yard they like to have a dust bath in (besides the tomatoes buckets that they took over)
View attachment 1142704 Depending on the time of day depends on if it's in the shade. Iv seen them take baths when its in the shade and when it's in the sun
I don't have a spot set up for them that's stays dry currently but will get one in place before winter hits (ugg that's just around the corner). After a rain things have dried out quick so I have not worried about it yet
View attachment 1142708
I set up a spot under the coop with sand and they don't like it, so I'm going to add the dirt that's in the tomatoe buckets. I'm thinking this spot should stay dry (I'll save one bucket incase under the coop get wet/snowy that way they have a dry place to have a dust bath). I don't think they like the sand to dust bath in
View attachment 1142716

 

[HuffleClaw]

I’m fashionably late by a whole year, and I like this thread.

I use the ground. My chooks free range