New hens not going into Eglu Go Up

[ISCA]

I put a dustbath in the run last weekend. It's a plastic tray (a cat litter tray in fact!) half filled with playsand from B&Q and some Diatom mixed in. One or two hens have stood in it but I have not seen any actually use it is a dustbath. But what they are doing is eating it! Not occasionally, but almost every time I look in the run one of them is tucking in to the contents of the dustbath

 

I am assuming this will do them no harm? The Diatom will be a good worming agent I believe and the fine sand is no different to grit I guess? They do have access to a pot of grit as well.

 

Is this normal behaviour?

[Laura & CTB]

I had the same problem with mine but the novelty soon wore off. It also took about two weeks before they realised what it WAS for

I wouldnt worry.

[scarlettohara]

Mine are drinking out of the dustbath this am we've had so much rain overnight.

[Unit]

Sounds like chickens are like any other creature - whatever you devise for them to use, they'll seek out an alternative!?

[Isabel]

Mine have just dug up some potatoes (after eating on the leaves) to create a dustbath inbetween two row of potatoes ... back to the earthing up for me tonight.

 

Can't answer your question though!!