Dust bath? help!

[Eliz]

Dang!

So that means I could still have a rooster.

 

[DottieMarie]

So should I give them sand since they are doing this in the grass? Or can I just dig up an area in the dirt?
I learning more about chickens then I knew was possible......but I'm having fun doing it!
BTW, thanks for your input

 

[caddyeldorado2006]

Quote:
it could be a spot in their pen or a spot in free range when you let them out the pen like near a tree with sand or dirt that they lay in and like dig to get the dirt under their wings so that they rid of dust mites and bugs like that. It keeps the mites away from them. Its natural, every chicken does it just about so nothing to worrry about. You dont give them a dust bath, but they will do it when they are ready. they look so cute when they do it as well.

 

[caddyeldorado2006]

Quote:
they will find dirt or sand when they eat thru the grass then the grass is no longer there and they will kknow where to do it, and dont worry you wont have to cut your grass. mine is almost gone

 

[flakey chick]

There really is no need for you to dig up grass. They will do that quickly enough on their own.

 

[FarmGirlNC]

Dietomaceous Earth=DE- but be careful that you get one that is just DE- a lot of DE now has hormone lures in it to attract bugs to help kill e.g. ants under a house. But you don't want to cover your chickens in hormone lures. While you don't have to give your chickens a dust bath it is good to make sure that there are dry areas available for them to dust in regularly.

 

[coltsrox]

i notice when we have exercise time they both lay down on their sides when its susnny and i thoughey were dying but they been doing it for awhile, so this is a dustbath? don't feel bad about"bustin in" i like to learn from it.

 

[JennsPeeps]

They like to stretch out in the warm sun as much as any dog, cat, or human!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I think my roo does it more then my hens do! He loves it!

If you want to see how they do it I have a video of it here

It's the bottom video. We still can't figure out what that funny chirping they make is all about...anyone know???

http://journals.aol.com/breakaway1968/hangin-wit-my-peeps/#Entry2530

 

[MrGreenJeans]

Nice video - glad to know my birds aren't the only ones that "purr" in the dust bath. I've got a couple ameraucana that look a lot like yours (one "partridge" one "silver spangled") - the silver is the alpha hen. I used to put a pan of dirt in the brooder, but she would hog it (even sleep in it) so I now have to use two pans.

At one point I thought she would seriously roll over on her back - she was laying completely on one side - legs out - and constantly "purrr...purrr...purrring !"