what kind of mess to expect indoor coop dust bath?

[Newbydoo]

I ordered a bag of dust bath from home hardware cause I feel bad they are kicking around in their shavings where they poop, I know they don't care but would prefer getting them the proper stuff. I live in the city so my backyard dirt is not what I want in our house right now. I will give it to them in a tub that will be at the bottom of their enclosure but I'm wondering how much of that dirt will end up on our floor and in the air, should I set it up in an enclosed box?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I ordered a bag of dust bath from home hardware cause I feel bad they are kicking around in their shavings where they poop, I know they don't care but would prefer getting them the proper stuff. I live in the city so my backyard dirt is not what I want in our house right now. I will give it to them in a tub that will be at the bottom of their enclosure but I'm wondering how much of that dirt will end up on our floor and in the air, should I set it up in an enclosed box?

When you say “our floor”, do you mean that the chickens are living inside your home?

If they are outside in a well-ventilated run, the tub should be fine. And you don’t have to pay extra for dust bath material - a mixture of sand and topsoil (both available in bags) will work fine.

And do be aware that the most anxiously-prepared dust bath prepared by you, the Human, will probably be ignored by your chickens, because as always, chickens gonna chicken.

 

[Newbydoo]

Correct the coop is in my home, They will be going to my inlaws flock soon enough, was actually supposed to be a while ago but hubby decided they were gonna die so we kept them a little longer (I think he's attached) so until we bring them I want to give them a good experience while they are here and figured they need a dust bath. pictured is the 4x5x2 - 3 level coop we just built for them. The dust bath will be at bottom. and if they ignore it like you mentioned... it will be the last time I try to be nice ... probably not lol

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Correct the coop is in my home, They will be going to my inlaws flock soon enough, was actually supposed to be a while ago but hubby decided they were gonna die so we kept them a little longer (I think he's attached) so until we bring them I want to give them a good experience while they are here and figured they need a dust bath. pictured is the 4x5x2 - 3 level coop we just built for them. The dust bath will be at bottom. and if they ignore it like you mentioned... it will be the last time I try to be nice ... probably not lol

Since this is your situation, you can try using a plant mister on the dust bath, but I’m guessing that you’ll just need to be prepared for the dust.

But dust bathing (dirt bathing) is very important for chickens. It’s a way of keeping their feathers clean and shedding parasites, but it’s also a very important means of social bonding, which is a big part of healthy flock behavior.

Edit to add: that’s a beautiful setup for the girls while things get ready for their Big Move! You and your husband are giving a lot of love to these gals.

 

[Three Stents]

I can not imagine the dust in your home, plus the smell.........you have hardware cloth? Who are the predators?

 

[The Moonshiner]

Is hardware cloth only used for predator protection? Can't it be just something that keeps the birds in?