Phosphorus Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Just trying to plan ahead - even though chooks won't be here for another 4 weeks What is the best size for a dust bath if I am going to use a tray or something - what have you all found works best? Not going to have bantums just probably Bovans, Marans, Light Sussex, Black Rock - that sort of size Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I've got a shallow tubtrug which is quite big, so 3 of them can get in at a time, if they're feeling particularly sociable. They also are quite happy using a big plant pot or a cat litter tray. The plant pot mine like to use is about 12 inches in diameter, but they have to queue for that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I've tried a large shallow flowerpot (about 16" diameter) and a cat litter tray. Both were completely ignored by my chooks - who prefer to dustbathe in their run covering (Aubiose) or in my flower beds.....sigh. D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 Have seen the trugs in our local garden centre - weren't cheap though so I think DH would kill me I might go for a large plant pot tray - I like the idea of lots in there at once. Will be going for ambiose or hemcore so they might just mess about in that anyway Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I bought a sturdy plastic seed tray , found in the gardening section of a local d.i.y store, cost about £3. Just measured it, 15 inches by 20 inches by 5 inches deep. It's plenty big enough for one hen to dustbath comfortably, but gets a bit cramped when 3 insist on squeezing in - though it's very amusing to watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I bought a large cat litter tray from Klondyke (about £3 I think). They ignored it & dustbathe in the run, so I now use it when I'm cleaning out the eglu . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 We've got a large cat litter tray from pets at home for about 4 pounds. It is big enough for them to use but could do with being a bit deeper as they empty every day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bokbok Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Have you got a favourite plant boarder Maybe I should have given mine a tray , they have already made three dust baths in my woodland boarder - they have got rid of all the weeds...............and a lot of the plants too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druids57 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 This is probably a really stupid question from a newbie but what do you put in the dustbath? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutcracker Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I'm so glad you asked that, cos I was wondering too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Not stupid at all . You can use soil, compost, play sand, (cold ) ashes from fires - but mine just use the run with soil and hemcore (and poo ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 Have you got a favourite plant boarder That would be my herb garden They won't be getting that. Unfortunately they will be in their run a lot but it will be quite a big one (when we finally finish it rain permitting tomorrow). Wanted to kit it out as best as poss for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 This is probably a really stupid question from a newbie but what do you put in the dustbath? No question is stupid I'm a newbie too as no chickens or run yet I am either proposing just to put soil in it or play sand. You can also put lice powder etc in it to help them do the job themselves - mixed in with something else of course - not just neat lice powder Others will probably answer this better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutcracker Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Not stupid at all . You can use soil, compost, play sand, (cold ) ashes from fires - but mine just use the run with soil and hemcore (and poo ). Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druids57 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Thanks - everyone is just great on this forum I hope Omlet realise what a good job people do in giving others the confidence to buy Eglus and keep chickens - Im collecting mine tomorrow Tee Hee xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Have fun tomorrow, Druids . Come back and tell us all about it (with photographic evidence of course ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...