Chickens and dust baths

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[Vickischics]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Your sand may be too clean for them. Chickens like to get really covered in dirt to the skin. Helps to absorb oils and ward off bugs. You can just throw some soil in there to dirty it up a bit.

Welcome to our community!

I liked & laughed at
"just throw some soil in there to dirty it up a bit". Lol
So True. Lol

 

[drumstick diva]

You may want to try "play sand" for kids sandboxes. This is a finer sand and clean, you could also throw grit in with it . In fact I knew a Chicken Lady that filled a kids turtle sandbox with sand etc. and it "belonged to her chickens. At night or during stormy weather she put the top on it - which also kept cats away from using it as their night time litter box.

 

[orloffer]

Welcome to BYC! There is so much to see, do, and learn here!

 

[Vickischics]

I personally do not use play sand. Its too thin and they breath it in and is known to cause Resp. Issues. It contains quartz which also can harm your birds. It's also known to cause crop issues.
The Dirt in your Flower pot has proven to be loved by your girls.

 

[Thechicksdigme]

I also don't use play sand because it contains quartz. I just use some dirt from the yard and all purpose sand. The all purpose sand also doubles as a good form of grit.

 

[lovesfarms]

Hello and welcome! Mine too like it in soil, some times they choose a moist spot and someone's a dry spot. I'm not sure about sand, but you could try putting it in a different location or in a different container. My chickens choose spots where they are hidden.

 

[CrazyChicken Lady]

Welcome to BYC! My girls love any fine and dust dirt that they can kick on to themselves.

 

[Mylasrubies]

Made a little dust bath area for my chickens from old blocks that we had as a planter and added some DE....maybe they think it’s a bbq pit? They haven’t touched it yet but I have high hopes. They got me working out here when its 100 degrees out

 

[drumstick diva]

Maybe if you throw a little corn or treats in the pit, they will in turn be scratching and digging and realize they can use it for a dust bath.