What is a dig box?
A dig box is a form of "hentertainment", providing a place to dust bathe, forage, roost, warm your feet, and hang with friends. It also serves as a piece of poultry furniture. It's large enough to be an obstacle that lower ranked chickens can escape behind, and can be built tall enough to act as a visual barrier. It's very affordable, easy to build, and can be customized for the dimensions and needs of your space.
That sounds amazing! How do I build one?
You'll need to start by sourcing what's called planter wall blocks. I've also seen them labeled as retaining wall blocks. They're used as corner pieces for raised garden beds with 2x6 lumber. Both Home Depot and Lowes carry them in the garden section, though they might be seasonal.
A basic shopping list will include:
* planter blocks (4 per dig box tier)
* untreated 2x6 lumber (we used pine)
* sand paper or a sanding block
* something to cut the lumber
* dig box medium (which we'll discuss later)
If you'd like to add a flat topper (seen in the photo below), you'll also need:
* a drill with bits
* composite deck screws (preferably in beige or brown), or another exterior fastener
Once you have your materials, it's a matter of cutting your boards to size, sanding off any splinters or sharp edges, and slotting the boards into the planter blocks. For the flat topper, you'll need to drill a couple of pilot holes from each top board into the side board below, then fasten together with deck screws. It's important that the screws are recessed to protect the chickens' feet. Pine is usually soft enough to recess by hand, but you can also purchase countersink bits that will create a small divot for the screw to rest in.
What are the benefits of adding a flat topper?
Aesthetically, the dig box will look more "finished", but the flat topper will collect droppings and need regular scraping. If there's a bit of overhang on the inside, it will help contain the medium. The chickens will also utilize the large surface to warm their feet in the winter. However, I find that mine prefer to perch on the narrow side of the 2x6. There's no right answer with dig box, so feel free to mix and match! Our next iteration will have 3 narrow sides and 1 flat side. I'm sure chickens can appreciate having options.
How large should my dig box be?
I recommend having enough square footage for multiple chickens to dust bathe at once, which I estimate is around 2 sqft per bird. Honestly, the bigger the better! Mine love to go in as a group.
Each dig box tier will require 4 blocks. How tall you build your box is up to you. You could keep all the sides the same height, or have a mix of heights for interest. A taller side can also provide a visual block, such as between feeders. I do recommend leaving at least one side no higher than 2 tiers; this allows the chickens to easily enter and exit.
How large is the dig box in your photos?
Ours is approximately 3'x3', with 3 tiers. The first tier is below grade and not visible.
Where should I put my dig box?
If your main goal is to use the dig box as a dust bath, I would place it on the centerline of your covered run to maximize weather protection.
What should I put in my dig box?
This is entirely up to you! Our current dig box has 4 bags of washed, coarse all-purpose sand (also known as construction sand) mixed with 3 small bags of Espoma Organic Peat Moss. This makes a perfect medium for dust baths, and the mixture stays fluffy and dry during the winter. In the past, we've used a mix of native soil, peat moss, and undyed pine mulch. The dig box makes a great container for kitchen scraps and other treats. Throw in your grass clippings in the summer, and leaves in the fall.
What does the future of dig box hold?
I'm glad you can sense the possibilities. I envision a staircase of multiple dig boxes joined together, each with a different medium. The largest will be for dust bathing, a smaller one with just construction sand for cleaning feet, and a medium one with food scraps and garden waste. I'd also like to experiment with composite boards on the sides to avoid rot. If you have your own ideas, I hope you'll share in the comments. And PLEASE post photos if you decide to build your own dig box. I'd love to see them!
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Thanks for reading! Check out the BYC articles below for even more hentertainment ideas, as well as the ins and outs of dust bathing:
Keeping Chickens Without Free Ranging by MyISAbrownhens
Why Do Chickens Dust Bathe? by Flash
