dust baths
Avian cleaning ritual
A dust bath is a behavior in which birds and some other animals roll or wriggle in dry dirt or sand to clean their feathers or fur.
The fine particles absorb excess oils and help dislodge parasites.
Chickens are particularly known for this: The hens had worn a bare spot in the yard for their dust baths.
- hensFemale chickens
- chicken coopEnclosed poultry dwelling
- chickensDomestic fowl for eggs
- cleaningRemoving dirt and mess
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
backyard flock · dry shampoo · hygiene · scratching · dirt · chinchilla · wallowing · preening · soil · rolling · skin health · parasites · pest control · exfoliation · sands · dense fur · outdoors · burrowing
- poultry housingcoops, nest boxes, roosts, perches, chicken run
- poultrychicken, hen, turkey, duck, goose
- enrichmentvitamins, minerals, omega-3, nutrients, supplements