mullethunter Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Has anyone tried one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HOP-INN-Dust-Bath-for-Chickens-NEW-Fun-but-Practical-/261145413951?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 Or do you have a dust bath that stays dry all winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 It looks like a good idea.I have just got an old tyre as suggested on previous thread.I intend to fill it with sand and pop it under wooden coop,which is raised and hopefully that will keep it dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted October 18, 2014 Author Share Posted October 18, 2014 After I saw how eagerly Bernie got in the spare (dry) dust bath I keep in the garage this afternoon I decided I needed to get something asap. So the girls now have a large covered cat litter tray from Petsathome with the front flap removed. No-one's been brave enough to go in it yet though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I have a shallow trug. I hope it'll be good enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted October 18, 2014 Author Share Posted October 18, 2014 That's what I've used until now PixieDust and has been fine. It's just got too wet over the last few weeks as my run isn't totally covered / dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I looked at it some time ago, thought it looked a bit flimsy. Went for a large shallow trug instead. It took them ages to go in it, but some of them do now. I placed it under the cube so it didn't get wet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I think the bottom wouldn't last very long - they do tend to scratch the dirt. But I see the attraction for not flying around too much with the sides and top covered. I used to let the girls have a dust bath in the greenhouse but it's not very practical as the dust flies up everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the Hen Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I also use a very large, shallow trug, and my girls absolutely love it. They even stay in there if the weather's a bit blowy, as I think it keeps their ankles warm... I've had trouble finding dry sand at this time of year, so I use Auboise sometimes and the chooks still get in and have a good flap about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccauk Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Hi I brought a storage box for under bed storage and just didnt use the lid its the perfect width and height for under the cude I also made a clear pvc cover round the base of the cube round the mesh to keep it dry and draft free dont know if photos show it very well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Wow! It looks lovely. Did you make the Eglu cover ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 Beccauk that's an amazing set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccauk Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Yes, its a new cube I brought this year from having a secondhand eglu so wanted to keep it nice and sparkly lol , on the outside anyway lol wanted to protect it from fading Beccauk that's an amazing set up thank you ive only had chickens for a couple years really they have had 3 extentions lol the roof and extending to made it wider they have a plastic shhet that rolls up the front and back when the weathers bad lol always find theres ways to change and improve especially when on here swapping ideas becca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 That's a lovely cover beccauk! I (or rather my chickens) also use a tub trug under a shelter roof with the dry earth from old pot plants in it. All the chooks just love it. Several get in at once and even prefer it to scratching craters in the garden (they free range and used to do a lot of landscaping till I introduced the tub trug) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 That's a lovely cover beccauk! I (or rather my chickens) also use a tub trug under a shelter roof with the dry earth from old pot plants in it. All the chooks just love it. Several get in at once and even prefer it to scratching craters in the garden (they free range and used to do a lot of landscaping till I introduced the tub trug) That's my plan too for the winter. I think I will fill a plastic box with dirt from the garden and just keep it in the shed. Don't really have anywhere else to put it, where it will stay dry... Might look for a tub though. That might keep the dirt in a bit more. Did you cut a hole in the front for them to get in? Or do they just climb in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 They just climb in. Sometimes they try and wait their turn by perching on the edge but normally fall in anyway Mine is a normal tub trug - not a particularly shallow one - and I just cover the bottom in about 1-2 cms of earth at any one time. Soon the earth becomes the finest dust which from time to time I tip back out onto the garden. I tried a cat litter tray but my girls like this much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Sounds good! I was thinking cat litter tray too, but I think it might be too shallow. Will go hunt for a nice tub! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 You could get one in purple to go with your Eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 A Tubtrug sounds like a really good idea, I think I'll get a few of those! Love the cube cover Beccauk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Mine have an old Belfast sink in the run; it doesn't tip over and they manage to fit 4 of them in there at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted October 24, 2014 Author Share Posted October 24, 2014 That'd be lovely Dogmother. Don't see many of those about these days though - too many appearances in Country Living et al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I sort of collect them as planters in the garden - found at the dump, in skips etc, and I've never paid much for them.... I can assure you that my hens' run looks nowt like Country Living Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Definitely like the dotty cover! Well they can't tip up the sink! Am thinking next time the aubiose gets swept out the tub trug will be going in down the back. The plastic needs to be replaced too as it's beginning to show signs of ripping. So time for a bit of maintenance down the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
