No pests here...designated dust bath poll:

[Baumshell28]

Want to start every day the clean way? Make a morning spa routine like these ladies!

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

I have a kid pool full of dirt that I keep a tarp over when the weather is damp so they can still have a dry spot when their normal spots are wet

 

[aart]

Mine dust bathe in various places, depending on the weather.
Dust bathing is good, but does not necessarily prevent pests so title is a bit misleading.


Check birds regularly and real well for mites and/or lice.
Have some permethrin dust and/or spray on hand in case you find any.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[cmom]

Mine dust bathe in various places, depending on the weather.
Dust bathing is good, but does not necessarily prevent pests so title is a bit misleading.


Check birds regularly and real well for mites and/or lice.
Have some permethrin dust and/or spray on hand in case you find any.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

I agree totally...

 

[KarynVA]

You need another option for your poll responses:

Yes, but they never use the designated area; they dustbathe anywhere they choose.

It's funny because it's true.

 

[Baumshell28]

Thank you @aart, I ALWAYS appreciate your input. The “tone” of my title was mostly in jest, but I’m glad it caught your attention so you would share the post about checking for & ID’ing mites as that is a subject that I could use MUCH more education and understanding with. I’m frequently humbled by all the knowledge that this site & its users share and I really hope you all know just how much I appreciate y’all taking me under your wing, so to speak! I just wish the next step in my process of learning to be a good chicken mom was that I’d gain one or more of you as neighbors to share with me some hands on knowledge and to help me learn by demonstration. But, until then, I’ll take what y’all can share online and try to improve my experience in that way.

 

[kelzey]

my older girls have a favourite spot which is a fairly large section of my yard that is just dirt, but my younger silkies go wherever they feel fit- this morning they found a dirt spot under the shed door and were pretty into it

 

[Baumshell28]

You need another option for your poll responses:

Yes, but they never use the designated area; they dustbathe anywhere they choose.

It's funny because it's true.

I assume, you chose option #3 then. LoL, I added that one because it is SO true! I like to think that my girls use everything I give/provide them exactly as intended, but alas, they do exactly as they wish, haha! I’d like to hold on to the impression that they are the smartest, most well behaved and learned hens on the planet, so that is the picture I share. What is not shared is the compilation of dust bathing holes located all over their enclosure, which includes the one inside the dirt floor coop, in front of their pop door, directly beside their waterer, which causes quite the headache for me on the days that I have to repeatedly clean out the drinker cups and replace with a whole new bucket of fresh water.

 

[mcdze]

mine free roam so it can be anywhere .. interestingly when im getting some sun out behind the garage and hanging out theyll usually get up under the bushes nearby and all start digging in .. i guess they figure im the lookout lol ...

 

[cmom]

You are likely to loose a bird sooner or later when you free range. I've lost my share. They do like to get under things to dust bathe.