Dust bath behavior

[Cryss]

I made a dust bath in a kitty litter box using natural play sand, top soil, and wood ash. I kept it in my house till it was good and dry since the sand and soil were damp. Being winter I keep it in the house so it doesn't get wet and freeze. I bring it out and put it in the sunniest spot of the run. So far all they do is peck at it, eating bits. No dust bathing activities. Is this normal? Is it because they are young, about 12 weeks old? Or because its cold?

 

[IvanK]

Hi! They should figure it out as long as they can fit in the container ok. Just expect to refill it and scoop poop and bedding out. Chickens love making a mess!
I went through the same thing when I had to start keeping my hens in the barn as the weather changed. I filled a kids pool with cold wet play sand (it eventually dried) as well as a shallow rubber maid container and they caught on pretty quick...though there was a little delay.
The pecking is natural as they seem to enjoy the tiny grit and this is what they'd be doing outdoors anyway...so you could say the baths serve two positive purposes.
It's just a matter of time until they're happy and floppin' around in the bath. I wouldn't worry.