Do Baby Chicks Dust Bathe? (And When Do Chicks Start Dust Bathing?)

Raising baby chicks is super fun, fascinating and honestly? I don’t get much of anything else done when I have baby chicks because I always find myself watching them in their brooder! Their instinctive behaviors are mind blowing.

When a mama hen hatches her chicks, she teaches them the ropes on eating, dust bathing and how to stay safe. But what about the chicks that are hatched in an incubator or hatchery?

These chicks still seem to know what to do! Creation is amazing. One common question I get is whether baby chicks take dust baths like adult chickens do.

What Is Dust Bathing in Chickens?

Dust bathing is when chickens roll or flap in dry, loose soil or dust. This behavior helps them clean their feathers and skin by removing excess oils, parasites like mites and lice and moisture.

The dry dust particles absorb the oils and help get rid of parasites which obviously gives them healthier feathers and skin. Not only that, but staying clear of parasites can keep them alive. Chicken mites and lice can take down a chicken really fast.

When Do Baby Chicks Start Dust Bathing?

So to answer the question, yes! Typically, chicks start dust bathing around 2 to 3 weeks old, but I have seen some start earlier. It’s a good sign they are healthy and developing natural behaviors.

Dust bathing is an instinctual behavior, chicks don’t need to be taught it. You might notice them scratching in the bedding, fluffing their feathers and then settling down to roll around and kick up dust. It’s so cute! Baby chicks dust bathe for the very same reasons adult birds do.

Should You Give Baby Chicks a Dust Bath?

You don’t have to create a dust bath area in your brooder, but if you want to they would love it!

Use fine, clean sand or dirt (free of chemicals and debris) and a little bit of Preen Queen dust bath supplement and you’re set! Place this area in a shallow container or directly on the ground once the chicks are big enough to safely explore outside the brooder.

Keep it dry and fresh by regularly changing the material. If you don’t create a dust bath, they will use the pine shavings to roll around in acting out the same behaviors.

Honestly? It’s one of my favorite things about chickens. You don’t have to give them baths like other pets! They are very self sufficient and it’s super entertaining to watch.

Not only that, but dust bathing is essential for chicken health and parasite control.

Until next time,

–The Wing Lady

Preen Queen - Dust Bath Additive for Chickens

Preen Queen is a dust bath additive containing zeolite, diatomaceous earth, peppermint and citronella essential oils to help remove excess oil from your chickens’ body. Simply add Preen Queen to your dust bath to keep their feathers clean and pristine.

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