Pro tip: Don't try to use a kiddie pool as a dust bath...

I thought a cheap plastic kiddie pool from the big box store would be a perfect dust bath area for my six hens, but they just stood in it and stared at me for a week. I finally filled it with a mix of dry dirt and wood ash, and now they treat it like a spa and kick half the mix out every single day. What's a better, less messy container I could switch to that they can't empty so fast?

3 comments

3 Comments

seth_carr2mo ago

Defend the kiddie pool. That's a perfect setup you've already got. The mess is part of the fun for them, and it means they're using it right. A cleaner container might just confuse them again. I use a big rubber feed tub, and my birds still fling dirt everywhere. You'll just trade one container for another mess. Embrace the daily scatter, it's good for the soil and keeps them busy.

lane.drew2mo ago

My old setup had a tidy little pan I cleaned twice a day, convinced it was better. After reading this, I realize I was just fighting a battle I couldn't win. My three parrots are way happier now making a huge mess in their big dish. You're totally right that the scattering means they're digging around and having fun. I was just stressing myself out over nothing.

henryreed2mo ago

Wait, you use a feed tub for birds?

-1