Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: eveshamchelle on April 15, 2010, 09:42

Title: why do chickens dust bathe?
Post by: eveshamchelle on April 15, 2010, 09:42

Sorry to ask such a stupid question, but I'm just wondering why they do it!   ???

We made a temporary run on our veggie garden last night thinking they'd enjoy scratting about in new soil with bugs and grassy bits and weeds and veg remains etc, but all they did was pile ontop of one another and have a group dust-bath.  It was funny to watch but made me wonder why they did it!  What pleasure / benefit do they get from rolling in the soil looking like they are about to die on me?

Title: Re: why do chickens dust bathe?
Post by: joyfull on April 15, 2010, 09:51

it is to clean themselves (remember dry shampoo powder?) and also to help remove any mites and lice. Some people who have under cover dust baths also mix in mite powder so they can self administer it  :lol:

Title: Re: why do chickens dust bathe?
Post by: mad chicken on April 15, 2010, 19:05

Quote from: joyfull on April 15, 2010, 09:51

it is to clean themselves (remember dry shampoo powder?) and also to help remove any mites and lice. Some people who have under cover dust baths also mix in mite powder so they can self administer it  :lol:

I have never thought of putting the mite powder in the dust bath! great idea!

Title: Re: why do chickens dust bathe?
Post by: themagicaltoad1 on April 15, 2010, 20:39

Oooooh it's a dustbath! and I thought my chickens were just digging through to Australia lol

Title: Re: why do chickens dust bathe?
Post by: Nails on April 15, 2010, 21:12

I put the powder in with the saw dust as they throw it every where, gets where we can't!

Title: Re: why do chickens dust bathe?
Post by: mad chicken on April 16, 2010, 18:04

I will have to try this method!