I made a dust bath but they don't go in it, yet

[WildBillHicks]

I took a pic. Remember, this is 4'x4' That plywood is the top to keep them from crapping in it at night because the roost is right above them. I thought the plywood would be a good idea, and it is, except I underestimated how much they poop at night. Wow is all I can say. Because of that I am moving it out in the open this weekend. To the right of the box is where they normally dust. They used that area to the right a lot, dried poop and all. With the new box they get in once in a while, peck at it for a sec then leave. Totally bummed.



p.s. I might try some peat when I move it. I might get some DE too. Local feed store has it.

 

[canesisters]

My girls are still in the brooder but when I put them out in the 'play yard' I sometimes drop a scoop of DE in a pile. They go nuts and flop around in it in a very alarming way. I'm planning to put in a dust bath when they move out to the coop/run so I'm watching to see all of yall's ideas.

 

[Jenn907]

I noticed your cinder blocks around the base of the coop. what are they filled with?

I filled the cinder blocks with pea gravel and sand so they would drain well. They are buried 16" deep (2 on top of each other!) so I am hoping that will be enough to deter predators. It took over 10 hours of work for my husband and I to dig the footing for the coop (it is 6'x10' total), so I am thinking the average fox or neighborhood dog would not be willing to dig that far to get to them. A bear? Well, if he wants in he will get in.

And to WildBillHicks; no, I do not know Sarah Palin, but I have met Todd a few times at a local sporting goods store. He is really a nice, down-to-earth guy. Bu there is a LOT more to Wasilla and Alaska than Sarah Palin!!

 

[WildBillHicks]

I moved the dust box out in the open and that did it. I guess they didn't like the other spot because of the poop. Duh. Smacks forehead.

Before I could even nail it down and put dirt in there they did this. This is the two brown leghorns. The whole flock took turns. No sand, just the dirt in the run. I broke it up some. As you can see the box isn't even full but guess what, they still love it. Needless to say I'm thrilled.




I can't wait to go to the feed store and buy some food grade DE tomorrow. Yippeeeeeeeeee!