Will the work for a dust bath?

[JoeInPA]

I noticed my chickens rolling around out in the run today, so I figured its time to build a dust bath. Here I have a container filled with topsoil and some PDZ mixed in. I think it needs to dry out some, but should this do the job?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It definitely needs to dry out. It needs to be dusty. Some wood ashes, sand and agricultural lime will help. Once it dries, it should work depending on how big it is.
They can't/won't use it till it dries out.

 

[JoeInPA]

I don't have any dry dirt as it just poured rain here for two days, but I'll put it in the sun and let it go. I may have a fire tomorrow, if I do I'll toss any ash in there.

It's big enough that probably all 5 of my chickens could fit in it at once if they wanted to.

 

[aart]

topsoil

From a bag...any additives?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's perfect. I really like wood ashes sifted to remove big pieces of wood. You could also get a bag of sand from a hardware store and add that. A bag of ag lime can be quite dusty when added to the bath.

 

[JoeInPA]

From a bag...any additives?

From a bag. Additives, I don't know, dirt? Lol.

 

[JoeInPA]

That's perfect. I really like wood ashes sifted to remove big pieces of wood. You could also get a bag of sand from a hardware store and add that. A bag of ag lime can be quite dusty when added to the bath.

I don't usually burn wood (I hate how the smell gets on my clothes) but I have some stuff to burn up so I may have a bonfire tomorrow night. I'll toss in any ash that is leftover.

 

[aart]

From a bag. Additives, I don't know, dirt? Lol.

View attachment 1938048

Was wondering because some of those bagged dirts have fertilizer or perlite or vermiculite.

Wonders what 'food waste' is?

 

[pennyJo1960]

If you could through in any wood it would help saying or thinking the same as the others I do not have floors in two of my coops watch for the trenches to clean but hey third is Silkie only my cats outside still want to attack them security is a floor they have a tractor they love to hunt bugs

 

[harmonyp]

You might want to fill it to near the top - I'd think the deeper the better.