Just curiosity, really... What's the normal age for the desire to dust themselves to manifest itself? I wondered last night if one or two were trying to "dust" in the shavings. This morning when I put their usual clump of grass/roots/dirt in for them to play with (and after it had been scratched around and nearly dried out), about half of them hunkered down and began to thrash around. The chicks are 9 or 10 days old now.
I found a little plastic pan (hospital basin) and half-filled it with some ashes. A few have hopped in but not stayed once they realized it wasn't food. I suppose they'll figure it out!
I did pick up a few of the "thrashers" and look under down and wings for any creepy-crawlies, in case that was setting off the dusting behaviour... Couldn't see anything.
I'll pick up some diatomeceous earth when I pick up the cockerels today, too, and add some to the ashes. (I've put a circle of ratwire--hardware cloth--with a second, smaller, heat lamp so the younger ones will have their own space for now. Meanwhile, the young ladies now have the whole coop... they were horrified by the empty space last night, but seem happy with it now--except for the heavy machinery outside putting the top coat on the driveway!!)
Rhonda
N.H.
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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