Watching a chicken take a dust bath is one of the funniest chicken behaviors to observe (but it’s often disturbing the first time new chicken-keepers observe it).
What Is Dust Bathing?
The chickens find some warm, dry, loose material like dirt, sand, or mulch; and proceed to dig themselves in. They’ll dig and dig, throwing dirt all over themselves, and make happy noises while doing it.
One place ours like to bath is beneath a window with a bench seat, and we enjoy sitting there watching and listening to them.
Why Chickens Take Dust Baths
Chickens take dust baths to get clean and rid themselves of the parasites that tend to afflict them (mites, fleas, etc.) because instinct has taught them that the dust clogs the breathing pores of the parasites, and kills them off.
They’ll find a suitable warm spot, close their eyes, and roll or dig until they have dusted down to their skin. When they’re all done, stand back because they’ll shake out a considerable amount of dust and dirt.
Providing Bathing Facilities
All chickens should have access to dust baths because it’s a natural, non-polluting cleaner and insecticide for them. Even if chickens are completely confined, it’s easy to put together suitable dusting facilities.
Simply take a large shallow pan (I’ve seen kitty litter pans, small kiddy pools, and wooden boxes) and fill it with loose dirt, sand, hardwood ashes (another good use for fireplace ash), or a combination of these. Place it where it won’t get wet, and in the warmest spot available during cold months.
Dust Bath Maintenance
If you provide artificial bathing facilities for your chickens, you’ll need to clean the droppings out periodically, and completely change the contents every few weeks.
Small amounts of food-grade diatomaceous earth can also be added to the bathing material to help control any build-up of parasites. The sharp edges of the diatomaceous earth pierce the soft body parts of the parasites and kill them.
Dust Baths to Keep Clean & Parasite Free
At first, we didn’t realize the importance of dust bathing for chickens and didn’t provide ours any facilities. Being smart chickens, they quickly turned one corner of their pen into a dust bathing station, and also have several favorite locations established around the yard.
If you want super clean, bug-free chickens, make sure they have dusting facilities – they’ll love you, and you’ll chuckle as you watch them dust.
P.S. I’ve read that roosters aren’t really interested in dusting, just hens. But our roosters all seem to love dusting just as much as the hens (click Here for the pros and cons on keeping roosters).
Fiona B says
My rooster Tom loves to join the girls in their dust baths. They’ll find a nice spot at the base of a tree or under a shrub and have a field day. He’s a bit of a hog though and always throws dirt up on their faces—lucky for him they put up with it. It’s really quite cute to watch!
Linda says
We acquired a yard bunny who just appeared one cold February day -probably tossed over the fence by someone wanting to be free of her- she also likes dusting. We find her diggings everywhere and occasionally she uses the designated chicken pit with the sand, ashes and diatomaceous earth. She fluffs about beside the hens !
Lesa says
That would be fun to watch!
Linda says
My hens and roosters have always dusted in designated and “unofficial” places around our yard. However today they are just sitting in tight groups of 4 or 5, no dusting action at all, in hot sun. I thought they were dead- heads down as though exhausted. They stirred a bit when I walked by but did not get up. I have never seen this happen before in 20 years of raising backyard chickens. Ideas? Anyone?
b says
They are bored. My chickens also do this and i let them out and walk them for a bit. I agree they seem dejected.
Linda says
My chickens are free range all day, every day. Five acres to roam about. But I guess the heat and boredom can get to anyone.
Norma says
My Rooster His name is Harry, yes he loves to Dust Bath. I love watching all my babies do this.
Jennifer says
My rooster loves dusting! Even when the sand isn’t so dry. He and his hens enjoy dusting so much! I have to keep them in a pen so whenever they get out they love it and enjoy the time out before they go back in. The girls love to get covered in it and after so long won’t even stand up they are so happy. Then I have to scoop them up and sit them in the pen and they all just lay there happy and covered in Dusty dirt. My rooster gets up right away but the girls are to happy and relaxed ?
I have regular good old florida dirt.
Marianne says
My girls love a good dust bath, I thought it was a hens night out but they have them all the time
John D'Aubray-Butler says
Does it matter what type of sand is used in the dustbath?
Lesa says
Hi John, no I don’t think it really matters what kind of sand, as long as it’s dry so they can create all kinds of dust, they seem to love it.
susan brown says
We have a rooster and 3 hens and they all love to take dirt baths! Our rooster especially lingers in the dirt longer.
Just Plain Marie says
Yes, I’ve seen our roosters doing it, too. What got me at first was how they’ll settle into a dusty hole and just *lie* there. Several times I thought the bird was dead, it was so still.
Lila Ann says
Yes i have a rooster name henry & just now he just loves to dust bath i was watching him do this & it is so cute to see him do this but what i was wondering is how come they peck the ground when doing this
Lucy j. says
we have a rooster who appeared out of no where and adopted us! He is beautiful and noisy and yes,he just gave himself a nice messy dust bath (under the window where I just swept)
Kim/Garden Tenders says
Thank goodness its normal! I was worried about my girls!
Lesa says
It’s very normal :), but a little disturbing at first!
Tanya says
I love raising chickens.. We just let them wander around the whole yard. My mom had our front yard landscaped. But when the chickens came, all the grass were gone and there are dust baths everywhere! My mom didn’t get frustrated. She loved feeding the chickens. We even named one chick “Kevin” and he follows my mom around and even loves to sleep beside her. Chickens can be really lovable animals. And they are as loyal as dogs. Some of our chickens would go outside the fence to scout for more greens. When we call them, they rush back in and we give them corn. :”)
Ali is my rooster says
I actually did a Google search and found this article because I wanted to know why are rooster was doing this. We thought he was sick because he would roll on his side and stretch out his neck and lay still. We thought he was going to die or something.
Lesa says
Well, I’m very glad that Ali is only dust bathing!
Ali is my rooster says
Thank you. Our cats would have been devastated 🙁
Stuart says
We have only had chickens for about 2 months now, and found out that 1 of the 3 is a rooster. My wife was looking out of the window and said to me have you seen the colour of the chicks (usually white silkies). I looked up on the net to see what they were doing in the dust. Hey presto, I find this website. And yes, the main culprit is a rooster!!!
Lesa says
Hi Stuart, it’s fun watching them isn’t it? Can only imagine what white silkies look like after dusting 🙂
Stuart says
Hi Lesa,
Well, when they are dirty I can only describe them as Steptoe and son! :)))
chris hollers says
I am a new backyard farmer. I have four hens (about six months old) and boy do they enjoy dusting. I think they are the best dusters in NE!!
Lesa says
Fun to watch aren’t they?
sarah mitchelmore says
Yes they are I could watch them for hours
sarah mitchelmore says
When people say sand for chickens which is the best sand to use???
Lesa says
I think it just needs to be a relatively clean, fine-grained sand. They seem to want something that they can literally “dust” themselves with – hence dust bathing.
Paulina says
My giant rooster is feeling sad and looks a mess: i put a dust bath in the run, now he and his ladies are happy and clean! Brussels, Belgium, Europe
TikkTok says
We’ve only had a single cockerel (which has been rehomed) but, he also loved taking dust baths. When he decided it was time, he’d kick everyone else out so he had the whole thing to himself, lol.
My girls started this early on- I want to say they were doing it by the time they were a week old. ‘Course, they didn’t need sand to try, either, lol. They used to flop around in our laps, etc. When they are out roaming the yard, we set a litter pan out so they have a nice spot. They also like to sleep in it at night, lol. Fwiw! 🙂
Misty Tompkins says
Hello! I am an educator at a small zoo in Illinois and we have free roaming birds through out our zoo. They take dust baths all the time and our guests always question what they are doing.
I am interested in using your photograph on an educational sign about dust bathing. Could you please contact me about this possible use?
Thank you.
sablonneuse says
Hi, I’m new to chicken keeping and our ‘babies’ aged 6weeks went outside for the first time today. They all revelled in the dirt but the problem is – they’re meant to be white (Sussex) and they are now a sorry but contented grey. How do they restore their good looks or will they always look like this?
Lesa says
I think as they get older and fully feathered, they will shake themselves out to the point where they are white rather than gray.
Lesa says
Sorry, no video yet. It’s a good idea though – it’s so funny to watch them.
David Patterson says
Do you have video of this? This is kinda interesting! 🙂 I learn something new every day.