Update: My chickens turned their dust bath into a swamp

I gave my hens a nice sandy spot for dust bathing last month. They loved it so much they dug down past the sand into the clay soil. Now every time it rains, the hole fills with water and becomes a muddy mess. The chickens still try to use it and track mud all over the coop. I've tried filling it with more sand, but they just dig it out again. Any ideas on how to fix this without taking away their bath time? I'm worried about them getting dirty or sick from the mud.

2 comments

2 Comments

fiona_jackson331mo ago

Mud baths are a hassle for sure. @casey_jenkins70 isn't wrong about chickens being tough, but all that muck in the coop is gross. Put a layer of small rocks or gravel in the bottom before you add fresh sand. It helps water sink down and might stop it from becoming a swamp every time it rains.

casey_jenkins701mo ago

Getting sick from mud? Doubt it, they're tough.