Wondering About "dusting"...do Chickens Need To Do That? And Why?

[CROWKISS]

WONDERING WHY CHICKENS NEED TO DUST? AND WHY THEY DO IT?

I READ SOMEWHERE I SHOULD PROVIDE TALC POWDER? BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR THEIR LITTLE LUNGS? SMILE

THANKS......FOR ANY ANSWERS...IM NEW TO THIS......

 

[Farm_Maven]

Chickens dust bathe for pest control, and because it's fun.
No to the talcum powder.

 

[Chocobo]

I have also read that in addition to smothering any pests dust bathing also removes any excess oil from their feathers. They REALLY seem to like doing it.

 

[Chocobo]

Found some more detailed info on dust bathing:
http://skeffling.hubpages.com/hub/Dust-Bath-Dustbath-Henhouses-Henhouses-Chickens-poultry-coops

http://chickens.wikia.com/wiki/Dust-bathing

 

[Farm_Maven]

Shoot, sometimes they make it look so enjoyable i wanna try it myself! lol

 

[Beekissed]

It's like shampooing your hair~imagine not being able to do that! Wood ashes and sand make for good dusting material.....who in the world told you to use talcum powder??

 

[michelle89]

I'm such a newbie to chicken ownership that when I saw my BR do it I thought she was having a seizure! Now I know that they are dust bathing, they get so into it its comical to watch!