Get all the dirt (lol) on chicken dust baths here!
Seems strange to watch chickens rolling around in the dirt and dust to get clean. However, this is totally normal. Chicken dust baths are an absolute must for any chicken keeper!
Chickens like to stay clean and keep themselves free from parasites (lice and mites… yuck!). So it’s extremely important to keep a good, dry spot available for them to bathe at all times.
Why do chickens dust bathe?
There are many reasons for chickens to dust bathe…
keep clean in general
remove excess oils
natural insecticide
social fun
Social fun? Seriously? YES! Chickens often take their dust baths together! So it’s not usual to see many of them dig holes in an area and start rolling around, fluffing feathers, and kicking dirt into each others’ faces.
What do folks use in chicken dirt baths?
First things first… dirt. I know, obviously! Chickens are always finding random places to take their dust baths, which does make it easier on us sometimes. This is especially true if you are giving them the opportunity to free range all or some of each day.
When in the pen, mixtures of the following things can be offered:
- Dirt and loose soil – this is really all they need, so don’t stress the dust bath.. just keep it dry and they’ll be happy!
- Sand – nice to add a different texture, construction grade is what I’ve found to be the best
- Wood ash – ours get this mostly in the colder months, as we heat our home with a wood stove
- Food grade DE (Diatomaceous Earth) is added by some for parasite control
- Lime (First Saturday Lime is what I use) can be added whenever you add it to the coop – again, parasite control
Note: Food grade DE and lime are used for the same thing – no need to use both. There are absolutely varying opinions on each one and whether or not it’s worth it.
