puddles and portable dust baths

[frankenchick]

Lately, my chickens have been tipping their waterer, then wallowing in the muddy puddle that results. They look like a bunch of hooligans when it’s time to come in! Is it a good idea to put a very shallow pan of water in the pen for them? I move the 10X10 pen daily.

Also, what is the best way for me to tell if they’re using the portable dust bath I made for them (out of a big, shallow roaster -- creepy!) I put dust and DE in it for them every day.

Thanks.

 

[Zenbirder]

I have shallow water containers in the run, actually big saucers that are supposed to go under potted plants. I dump them and refill often. My girls love to play in the mud, and when it is really hot I create mud just for them. They like walking in shallow water, there is a shallow cement lined dip that we fill with water for the wild animals, the hens wade in it often.