[Liam92]

I’m wondering if my hens will use this as a dust bath or will I need to modify it?

 

[Liam92]

I’m wondering if my hens will use this as a dust bath or will I need to modify it? View attachment 46113

Iv not put any sand or stuff In it yet this is just my starting point

 

[Lillith]

I can't tell how big that is, but mine would also probably use it as a nest box because it is enclosed and "hidden". I like to use plastic or rubber feed trays for dust bathing areas, at least in the winter when they're "custom" dust baths (aka a spot they dug under a tree) are inaccessible due to snow because they are easy to dump out when they inevitably get it dirty with poop. I can also put them anywhere I want, and the hens are unlikely to use it as a nest box.

So sure, you could use it as a dust bath, but I predict someone is going to lay eggs in there, and you're going to have trouble cleaning it out unless that is a lot bigger than I'm thinking it is.

 

[Liam92]

Your right probably end up laying in their I can remove the roof to deter this and guide them to the nesting place I have set up for them I’ll attach some pics hopfully get a better picture of the scale of it they have two coups a laying kinda house and hopfully with the roof off that can be their new dust bath. Iv just started keeping chickens the other week so tips like this helps.

 

[Lillith]

You can use whatever you want, just think about how practical it is to clean, and you have to drill holes in bottom if rain can get it there without the roof. If you can't easily dump it out or have to crawl on hands and knees to get to messes, I wouldn't consider that practical! They really don't need much room to dust bathe.

 

[robin416]

I like Lillith's idea best. My birds had a cement mixing pan that I put sand in for my birds to dust bathe if they couldn't be out.

 

[Liam92]

I think I’ll get a smaller dust bath, I’ll use the house as another place for them to hang out that’s four all in for nine girls.