Dust baths are important for maintaining a healthy, happy flock. But what do you do when the ground is frozen or covered in snow? Make an all-weather dust bath for your chickens!
We live in a part of the Western US that experiences cold winters but rarely gets a lot of snow. Last year, though, we had a particularly snowy and very cold year. In fact, we got the most snow our area has seen in almost 30 years and it all happened pretty quickly and unexpectedly! We had to make a lot of fast adjustments to keep our chickens happy and healthy in the unusual weather.
Two months before the snow came, our chickens had an unfortunate case of mites during molting season which made for a couple of difficult months! We were able to act quickly and eradicate the mites, but preventing further outbreaks was a high priority. One thing that can help reduce mites and maintain healthy feathers is a proper dust bath. With the ground covered in a couple of feet of snow, there was no way for our chickens to access their regular dust bath area. I also knew that once the snow melted, the ground would still be frozen solid until the spring thaw and then it would likely turn into a muddy, soggy mess.
With a couple of basic supplies that we had lying around, I was able to make an all-weather dust bath for my chickens! Because the dust bath is stored in a plastic tub with a lid, I was able to easily pick it up and move it to the barn to store it so that it didn’t freeze. I would bring it out during the day and let the chickens play in it for several hours. Once the temps warmed up a bit, I left the dust bath outside for the chickens and would cover it with the lid overnight and during any rainstorms. The soil stayed dry and ready for the chickens to use!
We have gotten so much use out of this dust bath that it has become a permanent feature in the chicken yard! I bring it out every winter once the ground freezes and the wet weather comes. During the rainy Fall and Spring, I have even placed the dust bath in the covered chicken run to provide a nice dry dust bath option. In the summer, I place it under the shade of a large tree where it has become a favorite spot for our chickens to keep cool.
How to make an all-weather dust bath:
To make your own all-weather dust bath, you will need a large plastic storage tub with a tight-fitting lid. I prefer a tub that has lower sides as I’ve found the chickens are more willing to climb in and out of it. Fill the dust bath with a mix of natural dirt and sand. You can use soil from your property or, if your ground is frozen, you can purchase a bag of all-natural soil from your local hardware store or nursery.
The soil and sand will create the base for your dust bath, but you can add other items to your dust bath! Many people choose to add a small scoop of food-grade diatomaceous earth or wood ash and charcoal from the fireplace. These can be helpful in preventing parasites but should be used in small amounts since they contain small particles that can irritate a chicken’s respiratory tract if inhaled. I also love to add fresh and dried herbs to our dust baths! The strong scent of herbs may help repel parasites and rodents. Some of my favorite herbs to add to a dust bath are rosemary, mint, lavender, and oregano.
An all-weather dust bath can do wonders for your flock! If you live in an area that is experiencing a particularly cold winter or if you want to add a new enrichment activity to your chicken run, this dust bath can help keep your chickens healthy this winter!
6 Comments
A long time ago, I heard that using beach sand was not good for the chickens. Is this true? Why?
Hello. Typically, beach sand should be fine for chickens. What you want to avoid is superfine sand as it gets into their eyes and respiratory system, which can cause some serious health issues.
Truly inspired idea. I also keep fresh natural soil in the coop run, and have found playground sand to be great inside the coop. I frequently sprinkle baking soda inside and also d-earth, adding fresh shavings every time. My ground doesn’t freeze but for a few days at a time so the hens can dust most of the time.
I started out with five tiny baby chickens….this past February….one being a rooster which I did not know till he got his feathers………no roosters allowed in Clarksville, (which is stupid, to my way of thinking)…….he got sick and died at about 4 or 5 months, it broke my heart……..I wailed all day long. Don’t have the slightest idea why he got sick… His red bow tie that I had ordered came two days after he died……the collar was to keep him from crowing too loudly so he could stay in this stupid town…….the collar would have been on very loosely so he wouldn’t have trouble breathing…….it has very good instructions with it so as not to harm the rooster……..the other two that died (hens) months later were meat birds…….I had no idea what meat birds were when I got the tiny babies……the last one that died weighed little over fifteen pounds. I am ignorant…I know…..:-)
My first time to have chickens..so ignorant…..will be eighty one years old this Christmas Eve…..so cut me some slack..lol
I had a plastic/mylar 7 x 7 foot shed installed in large back yard for the two chickens
which are left……. the box they came home in, says they are Black Sex Link….had two openings cut in shed for their entrance and exit and other for regular window which is covered with hardware cloth……they seem to be pretty healthy and give me two delicious eggs almost every day……….some days only one egg but thats ok by me……they are kinda spoiled I guess cause they come in mine and the two dogs house every chance they get and eat dog food….Pedigree can dog food……doesn’t seem to hurt um…….they love it……rest of their days they just run around the yard eating what ever they can find….they have good food out but don’t eat much…….when it gets dark they go in their storage shed for the night……it has about ten inches of straw and wood shavings which I get at Feeders Supply up the road…..
The 2 dogs and I go out and lock it up so no predators get in with the birds at night….
I check on them during the day every once in awhile……they seem happy…….
They have a 5 x 10 run also……I keep the doors on both ends open so if they need to get away from other animals if necessary……..The back yard goes down to a large lake where some predators reside……:-)
If I hear them squawk…I am out that back door to help um…….
Guess I need to end this………almost forgot why I am writing………now remember……
It is getting pretty cold here in Indiana so I have a new electric heater working in the chicks shed at night……..its up on a small roost I built that the chickens don’t use……….it can get below zero here some times in January and February so do you think the heater on low is sufficient for my “Babies” Also I am considering putting insulation on the walls with plastic over it so they don’t try to eat the insulation?
Your considerations and opinions welcome……
Accept my apologies for the long “letter”……..
Peggy
Thank you so much for the good articles and for your help…….greatly appreciated……
Thank you for the info. From new chicken mom
In Florida.
You are most welcome!! Glad to help. If there are topics you would like to see, please email communitychickens@gmail.com and let us know!