Keeping a dust bath dry?!

[Chickenman MAN]

well, say 10-20 little holes.

Awesome. Yeah I do worry about the confined space and all the dust... maybe I'll install a vent

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks for the idea! We have something like that for our waterer/feeder made from roof felt and pallet wood. It wouldn't do a good enough job sadly the dirt would be wet soon

If the ground is that wet you probably need to work on your drainage overall before focusing on the dust bath. It's not good for chickens to have wet feet all the time.

 

[Chickenman MAN]

If the ground is that wet you probably need to work on your drainage overall before focusing on the dust bath. It's not good for chickens to have wet feet all the time.

Surprisingly there isn't much runoff. I dug a ditch to divert water and we are planning on putting up a tarpaulin. But the water is from the rain only now, and seemingly no runoff from up the hill...

 

[RubelliteRose]

Now that I've pulled the basil out, mine dust bathe in the grow bags I made from landscape cloth. The dirt is usually dry a day after it rains, so they are more suitable for chickens than plants

 

[Chickenman MAN]

Now that I've pulled the basil out, mine dust bathe in the grow bags I made from landscape cloth. The dirt is usually dry a day after it rains, so they are more suitable for chickens than plants

I like the idea, seems effective! But our dirt just seems to stay sooo wet until summer and then the chooks are covered in mud from 'mudbathing'. Plus I think an artificial one will be good! Sand, wood ash and maybe some herbs

 

[3KillerBs]

The dirt is usually dry a day after it rains, so they are more suitable for chickens than plants

 

[Ann With A Plan]

Love the idea but they are very expensive any cheaper options?

I got mine from the local discount store. They were only about $50. each. I left my # with them in case they got anymore in for that price. I suppose you could make your own out of pvc.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Something like a fully closable kid's sandbox works well as long as you remember to close up when it's raining.

 

[aart]

I have had an idea myself... Please tell me if you think it'd work. You get two large 50l plastic storage containers, invert one on the other, screw them together. Then you put the dust bath in there and cut a chicken sized hole with a walk way up (plus holes for ventilation (many)) ?

How big is that in inches by inches by inches(or centimetres)?
Might work......if it sheds rainwater well and doesn't leak.

 

[Chickenman MAN]

How big is that in inches by inches by inches(or centimetres)?
Might work......if it sheds rainwater well and doesn't leak.

IT depends, we plan on a shallower one and a deeper one on top, and an overhang to make sure water drips off and not anywhere near it. Size? Depends, at least 1.5 foot in each dimension I think.