[Lewjam]

Hey,

Might seem a realy daft question, but what is classed as a dust bath?

There is an area the chooks have scratched up that they try and sit in and fluff up feathers etc but im sure thats not quite right?

Am i supposed to build one?  If so how big/filled with what - does it need to be sheltered to stop it being a mud bath - or does it matter?

Cheers

Lew

[Sassy]

Sounds to me as though they have made their own dust bath and that is as it should be. If you wished to provide them with a bath when the weather is wet and /muddy you need something to contain play sand, dry soil, compost or whatever you wish to use. Some people do this and add diatomaceous earth or louse powder but it isn't usually necessary but is a good preventative. Some use a cat litter tray but he sides may not be high enough, an old baby bath should work or anything similar that you have to hand. You would need to have this under cover.

[CluckyChicken]

I have given all mine a solid plastic sandpit full of earth in, and they still insist on bathing by the kiwi plant!  Don't worry about making a big posh place for them, just let them find their own bathing area or get a baby bath like Sassy said, mine also enjoy the flowerpots!
 

[joyfull]

mine make their own usually where I will fall in 

[Raven81]

I have had my hens just under two weeks and wondered the same thing, but they have made their own - just inside the doorway of the run which means every time I go in there I have to step over hens! They seem happy enough with it, and its better than anything I could make myself.

[SurreyLass]

Mine have made 2 (to stop arguements maybe!!!) - the first one, and deepest is just outside the pop hole into the arc - stupid place in my opinion, as they have to step down into it to get into the coop, but they seem to like it that way, so I am not interferring! The other one is 'developing' right in the middle of the run, where they can cover the entire place in dirt!!!

[featherhead]

I was advised to use chinchilla sand by an owner of quails. I put a load of the stuff in a deep tray in the coop run but my bantams didn't touch it. Next I tried mixing in some compost but still no love!
My bantams are still new and am going to let them wander my garden for the first time this weekend (if its sunny) -I'll be keen to see where they like to bath.

[terri]

when i got my 3 they promptly destroyed one of my flower beds and made it a dust bath so i put sand in that with red mite powder ,they have since decided that under the bamboo is a great place to hang out and roll about in soil, iv just put them in a large run where they will live while im at work and im sure they will pick out a good spot in there tomorow that is ideal for them 

[Madrat]

mine normally use a patch next to the green house but yesterday one decided to use a pot on the patio, much to the wifes dismay as it did have tulip bulbs in it,  they were scatted every ware when she had finished as was most of the soil.

[Catsmuvva]

Mine have made several around the garden, mostly in the dry soil under leylandii (?) and in the winter they have the world's best dust bath - they take over the raised bed in the greenhouse!   

[evie2]

Ours have several under the conifers, although Tallulah has made one right beside the lettuces

[Fisherman]

I made one for them to prevent their run being trashed too quickly. Its about 600mm square x 200mm deep filled with sand, compost, soil etc. Works a treat and saves having to move their run too frequently.

[Lewjam]

Hmm i think i will consider making them a small area see if they take to it - they are making one by the fence so in a few weeks i will have to full it back in again to stop them comrpomising the run!

[evie2]

Yesterday because Star has been such a good broody and never been far from the chicks since they hatched, I thought it would be nice to give her some dirt for a bath.  Star had other ideas, it was the perfect place to teach them how to scrat around

[Catsmuvva]