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Do you wonder why your chickens are tossing dust into their feathers? It can be surprising to see them rolling and squirming around in the dirt. In fact, often it is quite entertaining. While it may be amusing, dust bathing is essential for chickens.

So, why do chickens need dust baths? Chickens practice dust bathing to keep their feathers clean and free from lice, mites, and other parasites. Essentially, a chicken’s dust bath is comparable to a shower. As odd as it may seem, they use dirt to clean and maintain the health of their feathers and skin. Some even use it to cope, relax, socialize, and interact with other chickens.

Gallus gallus domesticus having a sand bath
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

What is a Dust Bath?

When chickens feel gritty or dirty, they’ll dig a shallow ditch into burrowing and throw dirt on themselves. They continue in the process until dust covers their feathers and settles down into their skin. It is believed that the dirt will absorb oil and moisture and block the parasite’s breathing pores present on the chicken’s skin.

Then, they stand up, shake out all the dirt, and preen themselves before continuing with their regular lifestyle. Hence, chickens’ method of cleaning their bodies using dust is known as a dust bath.

Brahma chicken in a sand bath
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

The Importance of Dust Baths for Chickens

Just like we shower ourselves or the way we would bathe a dog, the same applies to chickens. Dust bathing is the way chickens will keep themselves clean. Also, it helps to repel external parasites (like mites or lice) and other nasty creepy crawlies. So, dust bathing is essential for chicken’s health – it makes them hale and hearty.

Besides, dust bathing is also a relaxing time and a social pastime for chickens. You’ll often see your flock bathing together – writhing, flapping, squirming, and tossing.

Best Dust Bath for Your Chickens

In case you’re wondering how they’ll get a dust bath, they create a natural dust bath in most cases. They can go to a corner of the outdoor space or under a bush to wallow out their dust bath.

But if you care, you can provide a dust bath for your chicken. You can do this if you live in town or an area where your chicken has no access to a yard. Also, you can provide a dedicated dust bath for your chickens if you want to spare your lawn or landscaping.

Decide how you want your chickens to dust bath quickly before they decide for you. They may not consult you before wallowing in a spot that is not convenient for you.

Is Play Sand Okay for Chickens?

Sandbox sand or play sand Is generally not considered good for chickens. It contains to much dust, and will affect the birds respiration.

A sandpit or sandbox
Hyena, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Using regular plain dry dirt will be better.

Do chickens need dust baths?

Dust bathing is a chickens way of keeping clean. It is also an essential part of their normal behavior. So yes, chickens need dust baths. Studies show using any type of dirt in a dust box will reduces a load of external parasites with as much as 80-100 % compared to chickens without access to dust bath areas.

The same study shows that if you remove a dust bath with diatomaceous earth or kaolin clay the parasites will come back quickly. Dust baths with sulfur were shown to have a residual effect up to months after they were removed.

Why Do Chickens Need Dirt Dust Bath?

Dirt is essential as it makes up your chicken’s dust bath. This is where it can spend some good time relaxing and groom itself. Here are a few reasons why chickens need dust baths.

1. To clean themselves

Just like you soak yourself in a bathtub, your chicken enjoys the same benefits by bathing in the dust. Bathing in the dust is a perfect way of cleaning itself. It gets to remove all the dirt from underneath its feathers. As it scratches itself with the beak, dirt falls off, leaving it very clean.

2. To get rid of parasites

Chickens are usually invaded by fleas, lice, mites, and many more parasites. These parasites make them uncomfortable and feed on them. Dust baths help in shedding them from the body of the chicken.

Tiny parasites usually occupy the roots of the feathers, where they can’t be found easily. However, dust baths enable the chicken to get them out using their beaks. Shaking their feathers also makes those on top of the feathers fall off.

This is somehow a self-defense mechanism where chickens fight parasites all by themselves.

3. To give room for new feathers

A time comes when a chicken has old, loose feathers that no longer help. Bathing in dust usually helps in removing such feathers. This gives room for new feathers to grow and replace the old ones. This is absolutely essential for growth.

Also, young and weak feathers can be removed to let the strong ones grow. Dust bathing removes the chicken’s dead cells, leaving new skin where new feathers can easily grow.

4. To remove excess oil

Chickens have a lot of oil on their skin, which is secreted by the preening glands. Sometimes, too much oil secretion can cause the oil to build up on the skin and block pores. It can also attract dirt or even house parasites.

Some of this oil is removed during dust bathing. This clears the skin and makes it easier for new feathers to grow. It also contributes to the chicken’s well-being.

Dust Bath Maintenance

Wherever you set up a dust bathing for your chickens, ensure the area is always clean. Clean out flock droppings often and refresh the contents completely every few weeks.

If you want your chickens to be super clean and bug-free, provide them with proper dust bathing facilities.

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