Dust Bathing

[cyrus235]

I have a question about dust bathing. My chickens are 6 weeks old now, they know how to dust bathe, I saw them do it on my robe and a mat. But whenever I give them real dust and dirt, they just eat it and don't want to dust bathe. Are they too young to bathe in dust, or is there a dust similar to a robe feeling?

 

[casportpony]

I have a question about dust bathing. My chickens are 6 weeks old now, they know how to dust bathe, I saw them do it on my robe and a mat. But whenever I give them real dust and dirt, they just eat it and don't want to dust bathe. Are they too young to bathe in dust, or is there a dust similar to a robe feeling?

Welcome to BYC. Mine like towels! They should eventually figure it out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They'll figure it out. It's instinctive. Even with "dirt" they'll have some preference for texture or fineness, so once they find some that fits what they're looking for they'll throw themselves into it.

 

[saysfaa]

You might try damp dirt if you haven't yet.

And offer some grit if you haven't. Even if they never get food besides their crumble or pellets so don't really need it for digestion, it might be good to let them fill the instinctive need to have some.

 

[CabritaChicks]

You can try sprinkling some dirt directly onto the surface they like—like a towel or robe. I just use whatever’s outside, which for me is a mix of clay, soil, and sand. Dust bathing is totally natural for them. By six weeks old, mine were already living outdoors where dirt was everywhere.