Why Chickens Bath In Dust And Not In Water.

Thank You!!
I didn't really know a lot of the information you provided, and so much more makes sense now. Knowing the reason they dust bathe to begin with definitely helps decide the materials to use when creating a dust bath area that they will actually use snd that will keep them "actually clean" over "looking clean".

Another informative and well-written article. This one I stumbled upon while reading your Ex Batt thread. It was very interesting to hear about the different preferences of each sex, as the aversion towards ashy dustbaths is not something I can observe here, due to the overall lack of good dustbath spots with ash prevalent. Your articles are nothing short of thought provoking, as they force me to observe my flock more closely, or make me think back on past observations and conclusions. The photos help this interesting piece of text all together

Very informative article. I will be taking notes! thank you! The photos are helpful and the descriptions, and "tests" were very detailed and persuasive.

This is a very interesting, informative and well-written article. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights!

Great to tell us a bit more about chickens and bathing. And of course chickens are not like humans in keeping a healthy skin.

A tip for people living in areas where it can rain ? for several days in a row. Make a dust bath area in you’re coop or sheltered run. A big plant pot and sand on the coop floor instead of bedding like wood chips does the trick for me. In the plant pot I add a few spoons of diatomaceous earth if I have to replenish the sand. This might help to prevent feather lice and mite infestations. I have no proof to claim this. But I never had problems with any lice or mite after doing so. Maybe just lucky ?.

Well written. Great details. Love the tests! Super interesting!

Funny! Well written and with good comparisons.

Another detailed, interesting and informative artcle by Shadrach

Very well written article with lot's of interesting observations. I remember to have seen my uncle's hens raiding an anthill too as a little boy, now i have an idea why they did that. Good pictures!

Good detail! I found it especially interesting about the different materials the roosters and hens prefer.

Excellent observations, conclusions, and pictures. Ants and birds - I have seen birds dust/sunbathe in ant hills with wings outspread. Perhaps a combination of formic acid from the ants as well as parasite removal help to limit external parasites.