For a parakeet, what is a dust bath? Snowwings mentioned dust bath in an answer. Can someone please tell me?

Question

what exactly is a dust bath. or what products are good to use for one ? Thank you

Answer 1

You can get sand at the pet store - then you put it in a bowl big enough for the parakeet to fit - and the parakeet will roll around in it. The sand absorbs all the excess oils from its feathers and essentially cleans the bird.

Answer 2

Very easy....just get some very fine dirty (dust).....but most parakeets do not need a dust bath if they have access to a WATER BATH....dust is used in place of water...it is simply a cleaning method....a water bath is more refreshing to the bird than dust....parakeets are Australian and since Australia is prone to droughts, the birds substitute dust for water...not from choice but by necessity.

Answer 3

A dust bath is basically bathing is dust rather than water. Many birds do this to help reduce parasites and to help remove oil from their feathers. I've not heard of budgies doing this though I wouldn't be surprised if they do.

(available at pet stores) or a Tupperware container filled with chinchilla dust. Chinchilla dust is probably safest as it's meant for animals and is least likely to harm your bird.

Answer 4

On sunny days I watch birds giving themselves dust baths in my yard. They find a patch of dirt and basically flutter about in it just the same as if they were splashing about in water. The dirt of course is very dry and fine so their fluttering just stirs up a small cloud of dust which they cover themselves with. They seem to enjoy it.