We put in one with new garden soil, sand and diatomaceous earth. The first day our teenage chicks thought it might be lunch. The next day after a cabbage treat, one by one they jumped in it, pooped, and jumped right out. If I knew they could be potty trained I would have just done cat litter.
Looks like for the amount of hens you do not have enough space, they are clearly peck feathers out of each other. I understand you might have tons of predators however they need some free range space or have less hens
How is a chicken supposed to take a dust bath in sand? Sand sucks because mites and lice can live in it. The best thing is diatomaceous earth, you can mix it with some sand.
Play sand is not recommended for chicken dust baths... Play sand is treated with chemicals and has dust particles that harm the chicken's respiratory system.
I don't like using play sand because it packs down and locks together too easy. At least mix it with river sand or some soil. That way the girls can toss it onto their backs easier. And add ash and/or DE. If play sand gets damp it will harden and lock together
