Dust Bath vs Dirt Bath

[PhoenixAngel429]

Our chickens love dust baths under the porch as long as it doesn't rain, they will have a few good dust bath spots. It's fun to watch. Although I saw one laying before a dust bath and thought the rooster was hurt.

 

[klmclain1]

Omg...it is HILARIOUS when they're all in a pile to wallow in the dirt! I see my eight girls so squished together, on top of each other, squirming to get under each other, rolling around - all in about an 18 inch square space. I can't help but stand there, watch and laugh!

 

[gryeyes]

My flock has built a variety of "wallows" in the leaf litter and soil where there used to be grass. Several of them. Sometimes there are four or five of them dust bathing. And on hot days, they make them deeper and settle down into their little fox holes. They pop their heads up and look around, then go back to digging and rolling and flapping.

It's like Whack-A-Mole without the moles. Or the whacking.

But it cracks me up.

 

[Momagain1]

ok here is my "heres your sign" question for the night:

we plan on putting sand for our run...I dont have to give them anything else right? they'll take it in the sand..

AND dont mites/lice live int he sand?? so as a PP stated; it helps keep the lice/mites or whatever keep away from them..
wouldnt they just be adding it to them with the sand in the run?

 

[Newbie in Screamer Al]

They will take it in the sand. I use all sand too. But I was thinking of getting an old tractor tire, filling it with more sand, some DE, and some sevin dust for pests. I saw someone in the forum do this, and thought it would be cool.

 

[kraftyladies]

So glad I found this post... I put my chicks out in their coop for the first time today. A little while ago, one of them starting rolling around in the dirt and leaves. Hubby was wondering what was wrong with it. I remember vaguely reading something on here to the effect of dust baths. I figured that must be what it was. It was so funny...after I realized what the little chick was doing of course!