Dust Boxes

[BJ]

Does anyone use a "dust box"...especially in smaller coops and confined areas over winter? I haven't been letting my bantams out into the cold and they are confined mostly to a 5 x 5 insulated, heat-lamp heated coop. Should I put a dish pan or something in there filled with DE? Does anyone else do anything like this? What about out in the run? Any ideas for dust boxes or dusting areas? What do you use and how is it "constructed"?

Thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Wildsky]

Some folks use cat boxes....

My coop and run have dirt floors - so the girls go for it whenever they get the idea to take a bath....
I would not FILL with DE - perhaps a cup of DE mixed in with playsand.

 

[tiki244]

I wanted to do that-they sell those big tubes of sand for putting in the back of your truck for traction in the winter but i dont know if that sand is safe for the chickens. I sure would like to know where to get something "safe" dirt/sand for dust bathes in the winter. My city gives out a bucket of sand per household everytime it snows but again i dont know if it is safe. Cat litter boxes is a great idea. Now what to put in it??????????

 

[tiki244]

I was just thinking.(oh-oh) Our city has a place where they chop up wood and people can use it for mulching their gardens, and it is not treated like the stuff in the store. So wood chips/mulch may work but probably not too great. Any other ideas?

 

[Buff Hooligans]

"Play sand" that you get from a hardware store or Home Depot. It comes in a bag small enough to tote.

 

[slyfoxpeeps]

I used a paper box lid and mixed ashes from our wood stove and potting soil with just a smig of pine shaving for the pair of fizzles I have in the basement and they LOVE IT!!
I've had it down there for a couple of months and I haven't seen any problems.....

 

[tiki244]

Oh GREAT!

 

[tiki244]

my chickens after dustbath installed

 

[tiki244]

 

[Barnyard]

I was going to say "playground sand" you can get it at most any hardware store. It is already washed (cleaned) it should be fine. I also use it with my bearded dragon and haven't had any problems.