Dust bath, also called dusting, dirt baths, or sand bathing, are part of a bird’s preening and plumage maintenance that keeps feathers in top condition.
The dust that is worked into the bird’s feathers will absorb excess oil to help keep the feathers from becoming greasy or matted.
Dry skin and other debris can also be removed with excess dust, and regular dusting may help smother or minimize lice, feather mites, and other parasites.
We use dirt, sand, pine shavings, and ash from our woodstove for your birds. Most of this is really accessible here.
You could use an old tire, or just about anything that will hold your materials and are big enough for your chickens.
Dusting can occur anywhere and at any time, however, when a bird feels it is necessary to keep its feathers well-groomed and when a suitable patch of dust or dry dirt is nearby.