Are they actually eating the dirt?

[dhoni4455]

This is just regular yard soil. Following advice I got here, I brought some in from the spot where their future coop will be, so they can get used to it before I start letting them outside for supervised playtime.

But now I am noticing they might be eating it rather than using it for dust baths. Is that okay? They seem to enjoy it, but I want to be sure it’s safe for them.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Debbie292d]

They need grit so might be eating it to get whatever grit might be in the dirt.

 

[kattabelly]

It's totally fine unless they're eating such huge amounts that they don't have room for their food, but it would be unusual for them to do that. Eating a bit is exposing their immune systems to small doses of the microorganisms they'll encounter once they're outside.

Depending on the consistency of your local soil, you might want to add some chick grit to their soil if it doesn't already some tiny gritty stones. You can offer grit separately but ime they'll just spend half their time eating the dust bath and bathing in the grit.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They're probably getting some food from that. Possibly some bugs but more likely plant matter.

They are probably getting grit from pecking at the dirt.

They are probably getting some minerals from actually eating plain old dirt.

They are strengthening their immune system by exposing it to whatever might be in your soil. To me, this is a huge benefit to them pecking in dirt.

Is this safe for them? There is always a chance that there is some disease or parasite in your soil. If there is they will be exposed to it sometime, if not now then later. I'd rather that happen when they are small and you are probably watching them closer than you would be later. I think the risks are small compared to the other benefits.