Unsecure chicken perches

[Calamity Jane]

I have had My chucks for six weeks now and they have never taken a dust bath !!! I have provided a washing up bowl full of play sand and they also free range every day (with me watching) and they have never bothered taking a dust bath. Is this normal ? How do I encourage it. They are all Light Sussex and about 20 wks (not laying yet).

[Gelbel]

I think it's a case of some girls will and some girls won't. Two of my three love it - any excuse - even in the run in the floor covering. The third will from time to time. But my last three never showed any inclination whatsoever.

[Guest]

My 16 love dust bathing but my first ever 2 only started dust bathing this year and I had had them a year Some girls don't know how but they learn it will come just be patient

[Calamity Jane]

I didnt realise - I thought it was something they HAD to do in order to keep clean I think I shall stop worrying about what they are, and not, meant to do.

[Guest]

It is like when your a child and learning all these new skills. It is exactly what they do My older hens taught my younger hens

[Roobaloo]

Mine started after they found an old grow back...it had been left in the sun and not watered so was dry and powdery...since then they've tried to bathe in any pot or flower bed with soil. They also have a dust bath in their WIR which is a blend of compost, play sand and diatom and bathe daily!