What's with all the digging??

[WyoChick1]

Lately my chickens are digging holes everywhere! They used to just scratch around under the bushes in their run, but now they have the whole perimeter of the fence dug around, and various holes everywhere, dirt covering everything! My daughter thinks they're looking for worms because it's been unseasonably rainy. Or maybe looking for dry dirt to dust bathe in? Are they trying to figure out where to lay eggs? (They're 20 weeks old and just starting to lay), or is it something else? It's just a lot of digging all the sudden, and this is our first flock of chickens so I'm curious. Thanks!

 

[Saveria]

So, it may be because of the heat, so they can stay cool, but mine are doing it mainly to dust bathe. I think they prefer new holes when they are bathing. At least mine seem that way because they will make a new hole every couple days.

If they dig somewhere that you don't want them to fill the hole with shavings. That should work.

 

[-Chanticleer-]

Digging little holes will expose the cooler dirt underneath. It’s a way for the chickens to stay cool in the heat. You can spray down an area with water where they normally dust bathe, and keep it cool and they should use that area instead of making new holes.

 

[WyoChick1]

It's not hot though. It's been very cool this summer. We're high altitude Wyoming. It's been a cold and rainy summer so far.

 

[aart]

It's just what they do.
They might be looking for bugs or tiny roots to eat or for a dust bath.
If they are digging near and/or under something that could cause damage or escape/intrusion put some lumber or logs or pavers down to protect the area.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/excavation-by-birds-a-word-of-warning.1086535/

 

[WyoChick1]

Thanks! We lined the outside of the fence with logs and rocks to keep the dog from trying to dig. I guess we'll do it on the inside too for the chickens, haha! And my daughter bought them some worms so maybe that will be fun for them.

 

[RoyalChick]

I believe mine want to visit friends in China.
As @aart said, it is what they do.

 

[Tonyroo]

My first thought was they were looking for beetles, grubs, and worms.

 

[aart]

We lined the outside of the fence with logs and rocks to keep the dog from trying to dig.

Might want to look at these:
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208
Then you can add all the rocks and logs to the inside

I guess we'll do it on the inside too for the chickens, haha!

Yeppers!