4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Space Chick]

I am setting the girls up in a permanent spot with rubber chippings this weekend, but want to put a dust bath into the Cube run.

 

I know that some people use old plant pots. I have a fairly big old pot I no longer use, and was thinking of filling the bottom with some stones (to weight it down), then filling it with a mixture of sand and earth. (we have very wet soil peaty soil here)

 

Do you think I am on the right lines?

 

Need to do it, as Rose was trying to dustbath in mud yesterday! and she's my white chook!

Edited May 2, 2009 by Guest

[Budgies]

That sounds sensible to me!

 

I always used sifted top soil for their dust baths (our soil is quite sandy anyway) and they loved it.

 

Last week I had to disturb Chutney mid-dust bath to take her to the vet, and when I plonked her on the table there, she shook and deposited half a hundredweight of earth on the surface!

 

"If you've got a packet of seeds I'll get started!"

 

I'm sure they'll love it

[Space Chick]

Thanks, I shall do that then.

[Alma]

Hi

 

Yes I use rubber chippings so need a dust bath in the run.

 

I use a large shallow trug from http://www.tubtrugs.com and fill it with compost.

 

Two chickens fit in easily and love it. Great to watch.

 

Alma

[quickcluck]

sounds great. You could always add a bit of diatom in if you have it....

[Space Chick]

Whats diatom

 

Why would it be useful?

[quickcluck]

It's great for use with all sorts of creepy crawlies/lice

 

http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken%20Extras&sub=Health&product_id=625&sort=popularity&start=10

 

take a look for info!!!

[Space Chick]

My local supplier didn't have any diatom. Would a sprinkling of Red Mite powder be any good?

[quickcluck]

Cant see why not! Give it a go as it smell lovely anyway

[josieadc]

Hi, I'm a newbie to the site - first post. Re dust bath. Didi I read somewhere that you can use ashes (cold of course) from the fire. If so is it ok to just put them straight on the ground - grass in our case. Our 3 new hens arrived last Saturday - settling in well - and we're loving them - particularly watching them get ready for bed, very amusing..

[Space Chick]

I have a coal fire! Hoorah, can I use some of the ash from my fire then?

[purplefowler]

I too have the rubber chips so got the chooks a litter tray and have tried various combinations of bird dust, soil, sand etc...all to no interest at all. Then a couple of days ago I spotted one of them digging their own bath under the chippings (we don't use any barrier under it) and she had a lovely time. Just goes to show there is no helping some chooks

[quickcluck]

Ashes are fine..... you may find that they will continue to dig their own bath i'm afraid

[Redwing]

I use ashes and compost, I think wood ash is preferable and in the winter that is fine but now its warmer I put all my bills and bank statements in the fireplace, set the lot alight and use the ash from those

[petite70]

Evening , have just read through this post and noticed you talking about rubber chippings - could anyone give me some more info on them please, i have 8 hennys in permanent place in the garden would appreciate any info on where to buy advantages of having them etc. thank you !!

[Space Chick]

Well, we've sorted out the permanent spot for the girls. Have put a nice border around, and filled the cube run and border with the rubber chippings (the playground ones from B&Q Petite 70 - they cost £8 for a 10kg bag and I needed 8 bags).

 

They seem to like it so far, however, they LOVE the dustbath we've put in! A large cat litter tray filled with compost and sand and they think its Christmas!!!

 

Rose even chose to stay dustbathing over free ranging around the garden, so it must be good, as she's usually first out of the run!

 

So happy chooks, and happy me as its looks nicer and will get less muddy.

 

A productive day all round.