Portable dust bath question

[mother_hen6]

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for a small portable dust bath. I have a small coop and yard but sometimes they have to stay in the coop or it is raining and the ground is muddy. Also, would I fill it with sand or dirt? You can see pictures of my coop on the "Chickens & Gardens blog" part of my website www.workdychickenpictures.com so you can get some idea of what I am dealing with. It is about 5.5 feet square so whatever I make for them can't be too big. Also is there a way to keep them from pooping in it? If anyone has experience with this I would love to hear.

 

[axion_lotus]

A mix of sand and soft, loose soil works best for dustbathing. I'm considering getting one of those kiddie wading pools and filling it with sand and dirt and putting it in the run with my birds.

 

[Pinky]

My chickens have taken dust baths in big salad bowls before. I like to use a cat litter box and fill it with sand and soil like the above post says.

 

[cluckin_crazy]

Cat littler tray is a great idea... I didn't think of that. I have one of these - http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

A large plant saucer works well too!

 

[Pinky]

I don't know how big that pan is but if you have room for it, I would use it! I have two of those from home depot but they're too big for my coops. That would be great if you had a lot of chickens!

 

[mother_hen6]

Wow some great ideas so far. Here is the corrected link if you want to see the size of my coop.
You can see pictures of my coop on the "Chickens & Gardens blog" part of my website www.workdaychickenpictures.com so you can get some idea of what I am dealing with. It is about 5.5 feet square so whatever I make for them can't be too big.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have used a concrete mixing tray.

 

[Pinky]

Cardboard boxes wear out quickly, and my hens try to eat them

 

[Patricia Jane]

I have a galvanized bucket that normally would hold ice and drinks. I have one part sand, one part soil and one part sifted ashes from fireplace and alittle DE. (found this on one of the threads). Works great. I use stacked bricks for stairs so they can get in and out of it.