I thought dust bathing was suppose to make chicks CLEAN!

[lightchick]

I put a container of dirt in the brooder for my chicks to dust bathe in. I have 2 mixed breed chicks and one of them has mostly white on her. She absolutely LOVES dust bathing!
The problem is that she is turning a dirty grey because of the dust bathing.
They are 4 weeks old and they go outside in the coop with 4 13 week old chicks during the day. I bring them in in the evening and they always dust bathe right after coming inside.
I just brought them in and they are dust bathing and now the air is filled with DUST!

What should I do?

 

[SilkiesForEver]

I put a container of dirt in the brooder for my chicks to dust bathe in. I have 2 mixed breed chicks and one of them has mostly white on her. She absolutely LOVES dust bathing!
The problem is that she is turning a dirty grey because of the dust bathing.
They are 4 weeks old and they go outside in the coop with 4 13 week old chicks during the day. I bring them in in the evening and they always dust bathe right after coming inside.
I just brought them in and they are dust bathing and now the air is filled with DUST!

What should I do?

Dust bathing isn't supposed to make them clean, it is supposed to help keep external parasites away. I would much rather have a dirty white bird, than a bird covered in bugs!

 

[krista74]

I agree with the above post.

They are doing what comes naturally to avoid pests, and they are enjoying themselves at the same time.

What more can we ask for?! Long may the dust-bathing continue!

- Krista

 

[lightchick]

Ok! Well she's also getting dirt in her nose too!