Are you wondering how to go about making a dust bath for your chickens that they can use year-round? In this blog post, I’ll go over my easy go to chicken dust bath recipe that will help keep your birds clean and happy!
One of the best ways you can keep your birds parasite free is by giving them access to a dust bath. While chickens will make a dust bath anywhere (hide your potted plants!), you want to give them a dust bath option under cover for when it rains, snows, or any other time they couldn’t get into some nice dry soil.
Every afternoon I find my chickens socializing and rolling around in their dust bath. It really is the place to be! In this post we will explore why dust bathing is so important for your flocks health, how to make a dust bath area, and of course a great chicken dust bath recipe.
This post is all about the best chicken dust bath recipe for your flock.
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Dust Bath 101
Chickens don’t bathe with water like other animals. Instead, they love to roll around in the dirt and toss the dirt into their feathers. In doing so they can smother mites, lice, or other parasites before they can take a foothold. This is why having a dust bath area that is protected from the elements is so important to keep your flock parasite-free.
Chickens are inherently social animals, a characteristic I’ve observed firsthand within my flock. A notable social behavior among them is dust bathing, a communal activity that most often involves multiple chickens simultaneously. When one of my speckled ladies decides to indulge in a dust bath, it’s not long before her besties eagerly join in. Witnessing them roll around, emit soft purring sounds of contentment, and occasionally take short naps mid-bath underscores the communal and comforting nature of this shared activity.
How to Make a Dust Bath for Chickens | Location and Containers
While chickens can certainly make use of an outdoor area to make themselves their very own dust bath in the dirt, you always want a dedicated bathing area that is undercover. This way if it is raining, snowing, or even too hot in the sun, they have a covered area that is always available to them. Chickens love to bathe in loose soil, so when it rains, your chickens won’t be as inclined to roll around in the mud.
Ideas for making a dust bath area
- Plastic kiddie pool (the ones they sell at Walmart of Petsmart)
- An old tire
- Unused kids sand box (just not the sand – play sand isn’t good for chickens!)
- Large kitty litter box
- Use an area already in your yard and surround it with large stones, bricks, or garden bed as long as it is covered from the rain
Covers for the Dust Bath Area
If your coop is up higher, you can always make a dust bath underneath as this will provide shelter and be out of the elements. If this isn’t an option, you can get creative with making an area your chickens will love to hang out. For an example, you could use this animal shade shelter.
Chicken Dust Bath Recipe
Now to the mixture! I’ll share what I use with the ingredients that are available to me in my area along with some others I’ve heard work well.
My Chicken Dust Bath Recipe
- Soil
- Peat Moss
- Preen Queen Dust Bath Additive for Chickens with Peppermint & Citronella Essential Oils
- First Saturday Lime (Optional – great for an extra mite and lice repellent)
The soil and peat moss I use are purchased at either Home Depot or my local grocery store. You can certainly use soil from your yard though! The soil here at my house is very hard and rocky, so I try to mix in some of my backyard soil along with organic soil whenever possible. You do not want to buy soil that contains vermiculite, perlite, pesticides, or fertilizers as these can be harmful to your chickens.
First Saturday Lime is a safe insect repellent that I’ve started using in place of DE (Diatomaceous Earth). I like to sprinkle some into their dust bath and around the floor in their coop.
Herbs are a great addition to help deter mites and other parasites. I like to use the Preen Queen Dust Bath Additive by Strong Animals because it gives them an extra defense against parasites.
Other Dust Bath Recipe Options
In addition to a soil base, some also choose to add sand, DE, or some pre-made mixes.
- Sand
– Look for river rock or construction sand - Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
It is important to note it MUST be food grade. There are also some who say this can cause issues with their airways if they are breathing it in. I personally do not use it anymore as it is very dusty. I now instead opt for First Saturday Lime.
Chicken Dust Bath Q&A
Q. When Do Chickens Start Dust Bathing
A. As soon as they can! When my second group of baby chicks were only a few weeks old they started trying to dust bathe on a rug I was sitting on when I’d let them out to interact with me. I soon gave them their very own baby chick dust bath filled with some organic soil along with some from my yard so they could start getting exposed to the outdoors.
Really as soon as you start taking them on supervised outdoor trips, they will start to try and dust bathe. Which is good because once they go outside this is when they could potentially pick up mites or lice if there are wild birds around.
[RELATED: How to Raise Baby Chicks | 13 Essential Things To Know]
Q. Is Play Sand Safe for Chickens?
A. No, play sand is not safe for chickens. You want to look for the more rocky sand that has small pebbles as play sand is too fine and could cause crop impactions. This type of sand can be called river rock or construction sand. I’ve heard of other chicken keepers having luck finding sand with their local quarry. Be sure to check the sand first before purchasing to ensure it is indeed river rock or construction sand with various sized rocks as some locations may vary.
Q. How Big Should a Chicken Dust Bath Be?
A. You will want your chickens to be able to fully stretch out and roll around. Having a dust bath big enough for a couple of chickens is best as it is a social activity! They love rolling around with their friends, so the bigger the better. At the very least a large cat box is as small as I would go. Even better if you could do a plastic kiddie pool that you can find at your local Walmart or pet store.
Q. Can I Use Potting Soil for My Chickens Dirt Bath?
A. Yes, however, you do not want to buy soil that contains vermiculite, perlite, pesticides, or fertilizers as these can be harmful to your chickens.
Providing your chickens with a designated dust bath area is a simple yet effective way to ensure their well-being and keep potential parasites at bay. Watching your flock socialize and enjoy their daily dust baths is not just heartwarming but also a testament to their contentment. We’ve explored the importance of this routine for your chickens’ health, walked through creating the perfect dust bath zone, and shared a delightfully easy chicken dust bath recipe. By incorporating these practices into your chicken care routine, you’re not just fostering a healthier environment but also contributing to the happiness and vitality of your beloved flock. Here’s to many more joyful dust-bathing sessions in your coop!
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This post was all about how to make a chicken dust bath recipe that your flock will love.
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Hi there! I’m Jess, a backyard chicken keeper living on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. With my flock of 22 friendly chickens, my mission is to help others feel confident about raising happy, healthy, and super friendly chickens. My dream is that everyone gets to know the love of a chicken and experience the joy they bring to your life.
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