A dust bath for healthy chickens

Chickens are not the cleanest animals on the face of the planet for sure, however they still need to take a bath to stay healthy. Dust baths are crucial for your flock to stay happy and healthy in their backyard coop. A flock that is pastured or has free range will typically find a place and create their own dust bath. When confined to a backyard coop with a chicken run it is important for the steward of the flock to create an area that the chickens can get down and dirty so to speak.
We sectioned of a corner of our chicken run and created this bathtub for them to have a regular place to bath. Why is it so important for your flock to take regular showers? Well same as with humans taking regular baths, hygiene. With the proper mix of "ingredients" your chickens are able to control any parasites that they may be host to, and that keeps the rest of the flock healthy. Regular dust baths also help remove or absorb excess oils on the skin. And while this is a subjective argument based on our own experiences with chickens, our ladies seem like they really enjoy rolling in the dirt.
We feel like the ratio and mixture of our dust bath is a great starting point for anyone that has or is thinking about starting a backyard flock. If after watching this video and reading to this point you have suggestions or comments, we always invite an educational dialogue and are more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

[@desertdee1]

You say contractor sand, but most say never ever use that contractor sand. They say to only use play yard sand. Now I wonder which is it?

[@cedarporchhomestead]

What we have always gone by is that the course grit of the contractor sand works better for the dust bath, as well as play sand is often treated with several harsh chemicals. There ae some other concerns about ingestion when it comes to play sand because it is so fine, but not sure about that one.

[@desertdee1]

@@cedarporchhomestead Thank you. :)

[@TammieBuckeye]

Thank you for this information !

[@cedarporchhomestead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gailrands3614]

How often would you change it please?

[@dianeespinoza8647]

What a cute bunch of chickens. Wondering if the chemical fertilizer in the miracle grow potting soil is a problem.

[@cedarporchhomestead]

The potting soil we used then was what we had available. Since then we generate quite a bit of compost/soil here, but at the time we just had to use what we could get our hands on.