When do chickens start dustbathing?

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I have 7 week olds and they have been outside 3 times already. And they are outside for like 3 hours at once. I was wondering, when will they start dustbathing? Mine havent dustbathed at all. Is that normal?

 

[LarryPQ]

Mine do it rght away, as soon as their new feathers start making them itchy.

 

[JP101010]

Our babies started at about 3 weeks , but i would imagine every chicken is different.

 

[chicmom]

I've seen very young chicks do it, and it can be anything...They will even dust bath in their food bowl, or in the wood shavings. It's very cute.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

So do you think its ok my chicks havent dustbathed yet?

 

[Chick Charm]

Of all the batches/flocks I have had the baby chicks seem to start right away at the first week. That has been my experience. And they love sand!

I wouldn't worry about them not dustbathing yet. Chicks tend to do what comes naturally most of the time. Best of wishes.

 

[secuono]

They might be bathing when they are back in their brooder.
I've had chicks start early, then others, it seems to take forever for them to 'roll in the mud', lol.

 

[mrsp523]

I think its like other habits, some do it more than others. I remember last Spring the first time I saw one of my 2+ week old chicks take a bath, I thought it was seizing. I freaked out, later that day my friend just laughed at me when she saw my panic when it did it again. Maybe they are bathing, but your not catching it.....

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Quote:
Haha!

I watch them the whole time they are outside. So there is no way I could miss it.

 

[stllaura73]

Mine just started this week (6 and 1/2 weeks) and it was the funniest thing I have ever seen. One laid down and started and within 2 minutes they were all there in the dirt having a good old time. They cooed and clucked and it was a riot to watch the showers of dirt come up from under them. I have never seen anything like it!

I hadn't noticed any of them doing it before and have not seen them do it since, but I am with others who say they will do what comes naturally. We were having problems getting them to get on their roosts in the coop, and all of a sudden yesterday they were up there like they had been doing it all the time.