[SusieB]

I have been trying to find a sand pit to use as a dust bath for my chooks. One with a rain cover.  They all seemed to be overpriced bits of wood screwed together with an ineffectual bit of plastic to go over the top.

My DIY skills are minimal, does anyone have any ideas how to bodge one together?.  And how would I make a cover?

Or, if someone can suggest a nice design that I could put in the upmarket bit of the garden,I could find a man that can, to make it for me.  This would be nice because I would get more chance to watch them.

Please don't put me in design and construction, I need something simple!

[SusieB]

And I have found my own solution!  A lozenge shape B and Q wooden planter.  I can easily remove the base (4 screws), cover it with pond liner and use it for a lid/cover.

[Mum2mj]

And I have found my own solution!  A lozenge shape B and Q wooden planter.  I can easily remove the base (4 screws), cover it with pond liner and use it for a lid/cover.
[/quote

Sounds like a plan  can you post a pic when done?

[SusieB]

Will do.

[Beekissed]

Some folks keep their eyes open for second hand pup tents for that purpose....they make nice shade and also keep dusting spots dry, but don't cost a lot.  They even make actual pet tents that are reasonably priced, such as this one....

http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Pop-Up-Pet-Tent/dp/B00HJBX12C/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1430031854&sr=8-28&keywords=pup+tent



This one is bigger and appears more weather proof than the pet tent, for a similar price...

http://www.amazon.com/Plixio-Water-Resistant-Person-Camping/dp/B00FMZHDGW/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1430032050&sr=8-31&keywords=pup+tent

[themagicaltoad1]

Chances are they will completely ignore your efforts and find a nice dry spot of soil to turn into a dust bath.

[pepsi100]

I have used a tent like the red one on my trips around the world, plenty of room in it, seems a shame to use it for chucks though, I would have thought a kids clam shell sand pit would have been ideal, it comes with a lid

Seen a couple down the recycle center (I guess the kids got too big to play in them)

This looks ideal :-)

[SusieB]

Love the clam shell; Argos have an apple shaped one.  But I don't think they're deep enough, the chooks will flick out the sand.

[TanyaGibson]

Hi Susie,

They don't have covers, but I've used a couple of old car tyres as dirt baths in my chook run - I just filled them with dirt and some diatomaceous earth.  They still like to bathe under the old emu bush when they're in the yard but the tyres suit them fine in their run.  If car tyres aren't big enough for your girls you could try truck tyres - most tyres places give them away so this option is cheap and effective!
Cheers,
Tanya

[danfinn1]

I have a wheel barrow half filled with soil. All three get in it and flick the soil everywhere. When I forget to put it out, or use it myself for the garden they go back to the hole they have dug where the lawn used to be.   To keep it dry I park it under the table on our patio. It works well   when I get the barrow out they crowd round it ready to jump in, but only when it has stopped   My birds are very good at breaking up soil into a fine dust

[Helenaj]

I use a 35L Gorilla Trug - it's flat enough to allow them to climb in and deep enough to hold the dust. I bought it for £12.99 on Amazon.