Chickens are strange beings, but what makes them even stranger is that they roll around in dust. Why on earth would they do that? Surely that would just get them dirtier?
Wrong.
Why Do Chickens Dust Bathe?
Chickens are at risk from lice and mites. They can get lice/mites from wild birds and other animals. But how do they cope with them? The answer is dust bathing. When chickens dust bathe they collect dust in their feathers and spread them through their body by shaking and rolling around. The result is a healthy, dusty bird.
The dust from the bath covers the chicken, and her/his feathers. But what you can't see is the stuff happening in her/his feathers. All the chicken's skin and feathers are coated in dust, but, so are the lice/mites. Dust on the feathers clogs up the lice/mites' breathing holes and pores, making it so they can't breath. Therefore, killing them. It doesn't work 100% but it keeps the bird comfortable and healthy. It also helps keep them cool, I've seen pullets dig deep holes to get to the damp earth, then plonk themselves down in it and make a huge mess. Dust bathing also helps remove all the extra oil from their feathers, which is mandatory for a clean, healthy bird. It also helps with their evil plans, eg; making booby traps for their owners to fall into, therefor, dropping the whole kilo bag of mealworms in front of them.
Photo Credit @PippinTheChicken
Where Do Chickens Dust Bathe?
Chickens will dust bathe anywhere, but mainly in places you don't want them to, eg. in flower pots, the vegetable garden. Of course, why would you have bath where you've been told to, who would do that?!!? But in all seriousness, they will dust bathe in dust, sand, mud, and ashes. To make a dust bathing place for your chickens, you could fill an old tire up with dirt or sand, you could fill up a plastic container, or, if you are a little more hands on, you could make a wooden one. If you have a wood fire, not coal, then you can put ash in there too. Just make sure it was lit 'naturally', no fire starters or petrol or anything, just with matches, and that it was wood ash, not coal ash.
Photo Credit @PippinTheChicken
Do Roosters Ever Dust Bathe?
Good question. I rarely see either of my roosters dust bathing, but, when I do, they have made sure that the hens are safe and that there are no predators around. They also wait until most, or all, of their hens are dust bathing so they can keep an eye on them. Roosters also get lice/mites so they need to stay healthy too.
Photo Credit @PippinTheChicken Lilliane, rooster, dustbathing/looking like he is being murdered
What About Chicks? Should I Let Them Dust Bathe?
Every chicken has to dust bathe, even chicks. The earlier you can get them dust bathing, the better. Dust bathing also keeps their feather clean of gunk or food, and keeps their feathers healthy. You can place a dog bowl, or something like that, in their brooder full of sand or dirt so they can dust bathe.
Chicks dust bathing at 2 days old
Please note: If your chickens do have mites or lice, please treat them properly. Any chicken that gets an infestation of lice or mites is likely to die if left untreated. I have added another section on how to treat lice and mites if you need it.
Can I Put Diatomaceous Earth In My Chickens Dust Baths?
I have never used DE before, so these accounts are from other members in the BYC community.
All these responses are from this one thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/diatomaceous-earth.1497197/#post-24996681
From @EmmaRainboe:
From @Snailmouse:
From @JaeG:
From @Lizzy733:
Basically, it is not worth it. It doesn't kill mites/lice and it can hurt your chickens. As @EmmaRainboe said:
Bonus Chapter:
Permethrin Spray
Again, I have never used permethrin spray, so these accounts are from other members of BYC.
This thread it really through, so you can read it if you want to, if you don't want to bother, I will be using the information from that thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/permethrin-spray-questions.1393257/#post-22866342
1. Should I wear gloves? If the stuff gets on my skin will there be any sort of irritation?
The simple answer, yes.
2. Anywhere I should NOT spray it? (Besides places like eyes and beak)
No.
3. Do I need to wear a mask or something? Any risk of damage if inhaled? (I'm not going to be sniffing the bottle like crazy or anything, but this is a spray.)
Yes.
4. Do I spray down the coop too? (They are in a chicken tractor on pasture.)
Yes.
5. I've heard to reapply twice, after 7-10 days. Is it better to do it 7 days? 10 days? In the middle?
It should be used at least twice, 7 days apart.
Also, it is deadly to cats, so keep you cat away if you use it.
Links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dust-bath-diatomaceous-earth.1485406/#post-24759768
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ur-chickens-dust-bathe.1455581/#post-24234717
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-with-ruffled-feathers.1491110/#post-24865754
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/why-do-chickens-take-dust-bathes.1170092/#post-18408838
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/diatomaceous-earth.1497197/#post-24996681
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/does-diatomaceous-earth-work.1507160/#post-25279446
Thanks to @PippinTheChicken for letting me use some of your photos!! Photos #1, #2, and #3 are @PippinTheChicken's photos.
Wrong.
Why Do Chickens Dust Bathe?
Chickens are at risk from lice and mites. They can get lice/mites from wild birds and other animals. But how do they cope with them? The answer is dust bathing. When chickens dust bathe they collect dust in their feathers and spread them through their body by shaking and rolling around. The result is a healthy, dusty bird.
The dust from the bath covers the chicken, and her/his feathers. But what you can't see is the stuff happening in her/his feathers. All the chicken's skin and feathers are coated in dust, but, so are the lice/mites. Dust on the feathers clogs up the lice/mites' breathing holes and pores, making it so they can't breath. Therefore, killing them. It doesn't work 100% but it keeps the bird comfortable and healthy. It also helps keep them cool, I've seen pullets dig deep holes to get to the damp earth, then plonk themselves down in it and make a huge mess. Dust bathing also helps remove all the extra oil from their feathers, which is mandatory for a clean, healthy bird. It also helps with their evil plans, eg; making booby traps for their owners to fall into, therefor, dropping the whole kilo bag of mealworms in front of them.
Photo Credit @PippinTheChicken
Where Do Chickens Dust Bathe?
Chickens will dust bathe anywhere, but mainly in places you don't want them to, eg. in flower pots, the vegetable garden. Of course, why would you have bath where you've been told to, who would do that?!!? But in all seriousness, they will dust bathe in dust, sand, mud, and ashes. To make a dust bathing place for your chickens, you could fill an old tire up with dirt or sand, you could fill up a plastic container, or, if you are a little more hands on, you could make a wooden one. If you have a wood fire, not coal, then you can put ash in there too. Just make sure it was lit 'naturally', no fire starters or petrol or anything, just with matches, and that it was wood ash, not coal ash.
Photo Credit @PippinTheChicken
Do Roosters Ever Dust Bathe?
Good question. I rarely see either of my roosters dust bathing, but, when I do, they have made sure that the hens are safe and that there are no predators around. They also wait until most, or all, of their hens are dust bathing so they can keep an eye on them. Roosters also get lice/mites so they need to stay healthy too.
Photo Credit @PippinTheChicken Lilliane, rooster, dustbathing/looking like he is being murdered
What About Chicks? Should I Let Them Dust Bathe?
Every chicken has to dust bathe, even chicks. The earlier you can get them dust bathing, the better. Dust bathing also keeps their feather clean of gunk or food, and keeps their feathers healthy. You can place a dog bowl, or something like that, in their brooder full of sand or dirt so they can dust bathe.
Chicks dust bathing at 2 days old
Please note: If your chickens do have mites or lice, please treat them properly. Any chicken that gets an infestation of lice or mites is likely to die if left untreated. I have added another section on how to treat lice and mites if you need it.
Can I Put Diatomaceous Earth In My Chickens Dust Baths?
I have never used DE before, so these accounts are from other members in the BYC community.
All these responses are from this one thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/diatomaceous-earth.1497197/#post-24996681
From @EmmaRainboe:
From @Snailmouse:
From @JaeG:
From @Lizzy733:
Basically, it is not worth it. It doesn't kill mites/lice and it can hurt your chickens. As @EmmaRainboe said:
@Blooie has also had some trouble with it and she recommends stay clear.
Bonus Chapter:
Permethrin Spray
Again, I have never used permethrin spray, so these accounts are from other members of BYC.
This thread it really through, so you can read it if you want to, if you don't want to bother, I will be using the information from that thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/permethrin-spray-questions.1393257/#post-22866342
1. Should I wear gloves? If the stuff gets on my skin will there be any sort of irritation?
The simple answer, yes.
2. Anywhere I should NOT spray it? (Besides places like eyes and beak)
No.
3. Do I need to wear a mask or something? Any risk of damage if inhaled? (I'm not going to be sniffing the bottle like crazy or anything, but this is a spray.)
Yes.
4. Do I spray down the coop too? (They are in a chicken tractor on pasture.)
Yes.
5. I've heard to reapply twice, after 7-10 days. Is it better to do it 7 days? 10 days? In the middle?
It should be used at least twice, 7 days apart.
Also, it is deadly to cats, so keep you cat away if you use it.
Links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dust-bath-diatomaceous-earth.1485406/#post-24759768
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ur-chickens-dust-bathe.1455581/#post-24234717
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-with-ruffled-feathers.1491110/#post-24865754
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/why-do-chickens-take-dust-bathes.1170092/#post-18408838
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/diatomaceous-earth.1497197/#post-24996681
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/does-diatomaceous-earth-work.1507160/#post-25279446
Thanks to @PippinTheChicken for letting me use some of your photos!! Photos #1, #2, and #3 are @PippinTheChicken's photos.