ISCA Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Mine are drinking out of the dustbath this am we've had so much rain overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unit Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Sounds like chickens are like any other creature - whatever you devise for them to use, they'll seek out an alternative!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
