jan_novice_chicken_keeper Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 I've put a tray of used multipurpose compost, mixed with a little Diatom, in the run for my girls. The tray is essentially the same shape and size as a drawer or tray in a primary classroom. I've seen very little actual 'bathing' although they seem to love it and take turns at sitting in it during the day. What do everyone's girls like for dustbaths? Does the tray sound OK? Maybe they need more room to 'bath'. I've also noticed that while one is in the tray, another girls may be gently pecking at her. This does not look in anyway aggressive, and seems to be enjoyed by the girl being pecked - could this be some sort of communal preening? We don't seem to have had any kind of squabbles over establishing pecking order, and I really can't see this pecking as part of a pecking order battle, it is just too genteel. Thanks, Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 They don't seem to need much room at all to bathe in : All four were in there today! Not much actual bathing today, as you said, just sitting in it. Wonder if it's because it's been so wet? Also, I noticed mine pecking each others backs. No feathers pulled, it was almost a gentle nibble! No idea why, but no damage done, must just be a chickeny comfort thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 I'd too would be interested to know what others have used for dust bathing as I have just put sand in a container for them.... Haven't seen anyone using yet though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickpea Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 I too bought a tray specially, filled it with sand, plonked it in the run, and the daft birdies pecked it all up! Need to shift an old white sink, so will try that next, but they seem to dig themselves a bath quite happily enough!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanbb Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 My girls have found their own place in the garden, but If I do have some spare soil/compost I put it near and it usually ends up where they would like it to be Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 I think the gentle pecking is a sort of affectionate preening. Our first two did that, and now I've seen one of our new little chooks do that to Maisy - so maybe its a sign of recognising seniority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Our chickens dig their own holes around the garden Abbie gently pecks at the others on the beak and chest a lot (and is sometimes a feather puller ), but none of my chickens did it before her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Mine have dug a dustbath under a tree outside their run, but can only use it if I'm home and able to supervise them in the garden. I went to some trouble to fill a cat-litter tray with earth, sand and diatom. They ate all the earth (or at least removed it) and pooed in the litter tray! I haven't tried again since - but I do want to get a shallow Tubtrug, maybe they'd like that better (purple, of course, to match their Eglu!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 I did try several trays, washing up bowls etc. but in the end they chose their own plantpot. It WAS full of daffodils these have now been rehomed and I just keep adding a mixture of sand and compost to 'their' pot, plus liberal sprinklings of red mite powder and diatom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 mine make their own dust or dirtbaths in their run, but whoever sits in it first then gets sat on by the others! they also do the nibbling each other thing, and I must say I thought it was some sort of social thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennifer Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 my two girls have found a pitch each in some bushes just outside the run.. Being a newbie to this can someoen answer - is it right that the fact they are using a dustbath means they have mites and/or lice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 They dustbathe to prevent mites and lice. And for pure pleasure I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 its definitely fine/natural for dustbathing and doesnt mean lice/mites. Our 2 go up to dustbath in the afternoons....its like a routine for them - morning - eat/drink mid morning - maybe lay an egg lunch - eat/drink after lunch - eat some grass afternoon - sun's out - lets go and dustbathe and make some funny noises late afternoon - shake dustbath mud over decking teatime - poo outside backdoor early evening - treats from mummy getting dark - off to bed for sweet dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 2 of ours have had dustbaths in the compost filled plant pot that we put in for them I've never seen a chicken having a dustbath before , and ive seen it twice today I wondered what was going on and the this very mucky white chicken came out looking very pleased with herself, so I assumed that it was normal I thought the chicken was having a fit or something as she was trying to get her head underneath the compost but she came out fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
