Dust boxes?

[Ragladysews]

I need tips/info on what to purchase to make a dust box. I can make the box no problem, but what to buy to put in it? I tried sand but it ended up being to wet. I have DE so I will add that. I live in NW GA and it has been very, very wet here. Trying to keep anything dry is going to be hard.

 

[galanie]

If there's a chance it'll get rained on, anything is going to get wet. Sand, DE,wood ashes and just plain dry soil are all great for a dust bath box but like I said, needs to be protected from the rain.

 

[KrisH]

we used cement mixing tubs from home improvement store, drilled very small holes all over bottom for dranage. small enough so sand doesn't pour through.

RobertH

 

[Ragladysews]

Thanks, that would be smaller than a kids pool. My run is small but my hens free range anyway. There is just no where for them to dust right now.

 

[centrarchid]

For material in box, try gravel and sand for bottom with holes already mentioned to promote draining. Burn some wood and mix the ashes as well as the charcoal into the soil. My birds like to dust in locations while sun is hitting it directly and where they are near cover but have a good feild of view. My birds have several potential dust bathing locations but only some are used and even then at only certain times of day.

 

[galanie]

I figure providing drainage is a no brainer, I like the things Centrarchid mentioned but then again, gotta cover it or it'll stay wet. Oh sure rocks under there will help but it depends how deep the thing is. It it's just a few inches, they'll dig the rocks up and not want to dust bathe in it. Sand, DE, and/or wood ashes and dirt. Wood ashes are particularly good for keeping mites and lice off them.

 

[centrarchid]

If soil can be mixed to provide a silt loam, then even if rain gets in it will dry out quickly. Keeping organic matter down will also help keep soil dry.

 

[chinky5]

I have a question that I suppose falls in this category too. My beautiful ladies have inspired me to start a garden. (turning my city yard into a farm

). So I put together a container garden but have yet to plant....the girls think I put that there for them to dust bathe in. Is there a certain plant or something I can put out that they won't like but won't hurt them? My vision is chickens, dogs, children and plants side by side in perfect harmonyyyyyyy.

 

[galanie]

The only way I can have a garden and chickens side by side is with a fence between them.

 

[centrarchid]

The only way I can have a garden and chickens side by side is with a fence between them.

I use the term "exclosure" which keeps chickens out of garden which is in contrast to "enclosure" keeping chickens inside pen.