Chicks and dust baths

[Yorky]

We have adopted the 10 day old chicks which school hatched out and so far they have a cardboard box with a heater in with water and food. Do they need a dustbath, and if so is clean playsand suitable?

We didn't use a dustbath at that age and indoors. I don't think it is necessary, but am happy to be corrected. We only provided one on them being moved outdoors.

What do you put in your dust baths? I have just got new hens and want to make them one. I did one with just soil but have taken it out today as it was soaking wet and mud rather than dust.

mine live outside so only get dust baths when it is dry. have kept them like this for years without any problems. hope this helps.

Oh yes, mine like to make their own when the weather is dry, too.

Omlet recommend mix of dry compost and sand (with option of Diatomaceous Earth)

We have sawdust down for our chicks and they are sort of 'dust bathing' is that a term in it and seem happy.... And slightly saw dusty!