Dust Bathing

[chickachee]

I've got four 3 day old chicks. I just put shavings in the brooder today. I think one of them is trying to dust bathe in the shavings. Is this likely, or are they too young? If they're not, I was going to put a shallow bowl with some sand, DE, and wood ash in it, in their brooder. Should I?

Thanks,
Sheila

 

[LizaBlue]

I'm not surprised. When one group of mine were that age, I switched from shavings to sand in the non-nest half of the brooder hutch, and as soon as dirt hit the floor, one lil' bugger was bathing!

I don't know what additives you should put in there, I just used commercial play sand in mine

 

[highpointfarm]

It isnt nescessary for them to dust bathe yet, (they arent outside with bugs and lice yet) But they will def. be dust bathing as soon as 2 days old, so they will enjoy shavings just as much as dirt at this point. So I just throw a shovelfull of sod in their brooder just for them to play in...