how often do chickens dust bath??????

[eeiko321]

hi guys, just a question i thought id ask...

because ive dusted m,y hens with poultyr dust and it still dust baths...

so is there still mites?
or is it just in its instinct to do that...

if so how often?

 

[herechickchick]

Mine dust bathe all the time, well except when they are not eating.

 

[newchickenfamily]

Instinct. Mine do it often! Several times a day here.

 

[mainchick]

whenever they feel like it! It helps keep the bad bugs in check but they can still get mites.

 

[ridgefire]

They will do it any chance they get.

 

[Dill]

What do chickens use for dust baths? Sand?

 

[Opa]

Chickens constantly dust so take advantage of it. Usually there will be one or two spots that hollow out as baths. Dump a little DE, Sevin, or poultry dust in it. That way you can let them treat themselves for mites.

 

[orcasislandchickens]

What do chickens use for dustbaths? If they haven't got sand they dump their food dish and bath in the chick crumbles. (sigh)

 

[eeiko321]

Quote:
whats "DE"?

 

[Opa]

Diatomeous earth- the fossilized remains of a prehistoric hard shelled algae. It's used as a deodorizer, a natural insect repellent, used in kitty litter. You can buy it at most feed stores. In addition to using it in the chickens dust baths you can mix some with their feed as a wormer. You should use it on the floor of your coop, mixed with the shavings. It is great to keep odor down, flies and ants away, great stuff. A real must for any fowl fancier.