Easy Indoor Dust Bath For Your Chickens | DIY Chicken Dust Bath

With only a few ingredients, we're going to show you how to make an indoor dust bath for your chickens. This dust bath is perfect for winter use in your coop! Easy to make, no mess, and the chickens love it.
The tub is a Sterilite 200 quart container from Home Depot (I think it was $24).
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[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We hope this helps chicken owners who need an indoor dust bath for their hens! This works for our gals!

[@desertdee1]

What if you don't have access to wood ash?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@desertdee1 I would ask around if anyone has a firepit in their yard. Maybe you can borrow some ash after their next fire. Could you have a small fire to enjoy (and collect ash)? I don't know what would substitute for the ash. I guess the DE and dirt would be good on their own too. The ash just adds to the mixture and makes it smoother, versus all dirt. Hope that helps.

[@desertdee1]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Thank you. I was thinking maybe adding peat moss. Even if some have fireplaces, it's summer so very high temps where I live. No fireplaces running. :D

[@chardell1000]

They say here comes our treat, thank you.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I think that is the best theory. They see me and equate me with food. They can't get on with their lives and continue dust bathing when I might be food! Cheers!

[@pamanderson1417]

Rich, the ladies like privacy when bathing 😉

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Ha! You're probably correct! I think they see me, and they want treats!! Thanks Pam!

[@greenthumbelina7331]

Rich, they jump out to see if you brought them treats! You could try setting up a camera, but they'd probably just poop on the lens! Chickens aren't modest critters, but they are extremely curious, and they want to see you. You're their person, the one who feeds them, and the one they see multiple times each day! The chicken whisperer, lol! ~Margie🐔🐥

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

You're probably correct about the treats. They love their treats! We're working on mounting a camera in the barn to watch them. As always, thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers Margie!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Hi Rich….nice winter day there! Your girls are happy inside! Easy 3 ingredients dust bath tub!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Easy Peasy! It was a nasty day the day I filmed this. It's nasty again today with a foot of snow forecast through tomorrow. Stay safe Garry! Cheers!

[@Erwin.Wijayanto]

L. 49. full watch. thanks for great share your video. i like it! 💯👍

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching and liking! We appreciate your support!

[@farkleberry471]

I've seen folks use large tractor tires, too, for dust baths. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

That would work too. For us, it would take up a LOT of space in the barn. I wanted to have a lower profile unit. I may find a tire for an outside bath for them in summer. Thanks for sharing!

[@cduffy6708]

Cool idea..!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks! Simple, inexpensive and the hens love it!

[@MayfieldRanch]

60 supervisors- perfect! Great idea Rich! I always give them the ash and some DE in their coup. They probably jump out thinking you are bringing them a treat.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I think you're correct about the treats! They see me and come running! Happy New Year Cady!

[@gmkowal3880]

Do you spread it on the bedding or do you have an indoor bath?

[@rowanchong7225]

I just wanted to thank you for your informative video… also, I didn’t know how to make a ‘roost?’, but now I do … thanks again

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I'm glad our videos were helpful for you. I'm just making videos that I wish were out there when I started. It's simple to have chickens but there is also a lot to learn! Let us know if we can help in any other way. Cheers!

[@gardeningmadeeasywiththeol3945]

Hi Rich, sounds like you still have some really cold and wintry weather! Here in the UK it is fairly mild and wet at the moment. You look after your girls so well & must enjoy the dust bath ! Best Wishes, Paul & Nadj.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We're going to receive another foot of snow today/tomorrow. It just won't stop! Our hens love a good dust bath! Happy New Year Paul & Nadj! Cheers!

[@gemmasamion]

wow you're great, useful sharing, very creative that others don't think of making it, may it be easier in 2023, you'll be more successful, god bless 🤩👍👏🙏

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate the support! If you haven't already, please subscribe to our channel. Thanks again for all the support! Happy New Year!!

[@chuckvenable4409]

You've got a great looking chicken house for all those birds ! First time I've watched your channel. Really informative 😃. Thank you ...😊

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching Chuck. We appreciate your support! We've got a great spot for our hens! Have a great week!

[@Damselfly54315]

Trail cam it, lol...thanks for ur video and hi from Pa😊

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We're working on having an inside camera in the barn. Then we can really watch them in action!! Cheers!

[@Damselfly54315]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm SOUNDS GREAT, atta boy😊👍🏻 love ur videos😊

[@goforit8]

Yes, great idea Rich. Will definitely try this. Chickens are always so curious and funny to watch.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

You are correct - they're fun to watch! They never cease to amaze us! It's funny that they don't want to be watched! Thanks for watching! Cheers!

[@moawademan]

Good morning my friend 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 happy beautiful

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching and commenting! Happy New Year!!

[@evelynwoolston7]

We tried using a large dustbin lid but they ignored it and after seeing our 3 dustbathe in soil, I saw that it was just too shallow.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Depth is key. I think they need at least 4" in the bath, if not 6". They like getting down in it and rolling around. Keep me posted how your dust bath turns out. Cheers!

[@HollywoodRuby]

Herbs like lavender, spearmint, and Saturday Lime.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I've never added all the herbs. My girls have been very healthy and just didn't want the extra expense. How do they benefit from the herbs? I'd love to learn. Cheers!

[@Thomasfarmstn]

68 degrees Fahrenheit here today with storms. I have a friend who must take a dust bath, lol!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Yep. I've known a few people who (I believe) dustbathed!! Thanks for letting me know about your weather! Happy New Year Russ!

[@LLjean-qz7sb]

Do you like somebody watching you taking a bath?!!! LOL!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Ha! I guess the hens like to be private! Cheers!

[@BroqueCowgirlHomestead]

Mites thrive in colder weather for whatever reason. Not just chicken mites, but ear mites on rabbits. Mites or lice on goats are more common in winter as well.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I hope this helps keep the mites low. We've never had issues with mites, but I never want to! Thanks for watching Gwen!

[@BARBSCOUNTRYHOME999]

We've been getting so much rain here that there was nowhere to take a dust bath.. So we made them a sandbox.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

A perfect solution! We're getting the snow and you're getting the rain. Either way, we'll both have moisture for our gardens. Cheers Barb!

[@MinuteontheMountain]

Hope the new year is off to a great start for you guys.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We received another ten inches of snow with more on the way. We're getting our moisture! Thanks for stopping by and watching! Did you ever get any shots of the elk? I'll stop by to take a look. Happy New Year!

[@MinuteontheMountain]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm I haven't hiked back up to pull those cameras yet, so I'm not sure.

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Seems like a nice compact system. So, you just add to it, as opposed to dumping it and making "new" ? They probably jump out because they see you as the treat bringer 🤔 All the best in 2023 Rich. Cheers Jason and Colleen 🌱🌱🌱

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I think you're correct about the treats! As for the bath, I just add to it. Makes it simple! Thanks for watching and have a great new year! Cheers to 2023 Jason & Colleen!

[@CookBrookCountryLife]

Maybe they think you're going to carry them out tub and all! If it were more shallow they might not leap out right away when you watch. Your barn always looks warm and dry and even sunny in any weather!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I'm starting to think that they think I'm bringing treats, and that's why they jump out! It's a bit damp right now as we're receiving a foot of new snow! It just doesn't want to stop! Cheers!

[@juliegrossman3733]

Thanks for an informative video! In a smaller coop, 10 x 6, what would be the minimum size of a dust bath?

[@juliegrossman3733]

Sorry--I see you've addressed this question in other comments, which I just read.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@juliegrossman3733 I'd go with the same size. You want something that multiple hens can get into. Let me know if you've got further questions Julie. Cheers!!

[@gmkowal3880]

Some of the wood ash got wet. Will this burn the birds by creating lye? I live in northern canada.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We have never had an issue with this. The hens get into the fire areas all the time and have never had an issue.

[@nancysala7769]

I’ve wanted to use bagged soil, but it comes with fertilizer pellets. Wouldn’t that be bad for the chickens?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I have a feeling that the chickens would eat the little pellets. Find some soil or composted manure without fertilizer. It'll work great! Keep us posted Nancy!

[@LittleHomesteadOnHinerPond]

We also live in MN (Twin Cities area) and only have six hens. I’m going to make a smaller bin for dust bathing but my question is can I put it in our 5 x 7 coop? Or would it be better to put it in the run which is 7 x 11?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I guess I would put it in the run. If it's in the coop, it's probably going to be under a roost. The hens will be pooping in it and it won't be as hygienic. If you can put it in the run, in an area where rain and snow won't get in it, that would be best. If you ever want to run down to check out our place, just drop us a note. It's always fun to talk chickens! [e-mail]. Cheers!

[@sherrybarnard6251]

In the run if covered but don’t use DE. Use lime. Research it

[@dodihead9011]

How often should you replenish the diatomaceous earth and wood ash to the soil?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I try to keep about four inches of mix for the bath. If it gets lower, we have a fire and mix in more dirt/ash/DE. Just use your judgement on it. Probably no right or wrong answer. Just keep it deep enough for the chickens to get down in it. Hope that helps!

[@dodihead9011]

Ok TY and yes your reply helped. God bless😊​@@TheOldSwedesFarm

[@gregoryangrisani2945]

how do you know how much diatomaceus to add?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I usually go less than a third for the DE. Go with a 40% dirt, 40% ash and 20% DE and it'll be a great mix! Hope this helps!

[@cduffy6708]

I wouldn't let someone film me while I was bathing either..!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Ha! Isn't that the truth! Cheers!

[@LifewithBlindaandChuck]

Well I think I wouldn't like people filming me while I bathe either. lol

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Ha! Good one Chuck! I think they just think I'm bringing treats!! Happy New Year to you two!

[@mywildholm]

Calgon... take me away... 🙂

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Ha! So true! Thanks for the laugh!!

[@gmkowal3880]

Please wear a dust mask when working with Diatomaceous earth.

[@gmkowal3880]

There isn't enough reliable information available to know if diatomaceous earth is safe or what the side effects might be. Side effects in people who work with diatomaceous earth in large amounts include serious lung problems, even lung cancer.

[@gmkowal3880]

After reviewing I see you say FOOD grade DE.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@gmkowal3880 Yep. Food grade is what we use. I keep away from the dust but I think we're OK. Thanks for stopping by to watch.

[@Homestead.Dreamer]

Can you please explain why the girls need a dust bath? The cities got hit hard today! Cars stuck in the right lane on 494, crazy 😮

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We are having quite a fun mix of precip right now. Yuck! The girls need to dustbathe to coat their skin with dirt, etc. It keeps the mites, fleas, etc. from getting on their skin. Without it, they could have bugs all over them and they would be miserable. Hope that helps.

[@Homestead.Dreamer]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm good to know, thanks! Stay safe.

[@hollypatrick1050]

spycam

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

That is a good idea.....amd you gave me a good laugh! Thanks for an awesome idea!! Cheers Holly!

[@jase_drifter]

Hey Rich, I use a trail camera when I want to spy on my girls (chook cam)

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We're working on getting a special camera to watch them. I'll keep you posted. Cheers Jase!

[@jase_drifter]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm oh nice