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Can someone tell me what this means?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by Its Just Us Chickens, Jan 2, 2009.

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  1. Jan 2, 2009 #1
    Its Just Us Chickens

    Its Just Us Chickens Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Nov 24, 2008
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    My chickens got up under my house again--for somereason they like it undertheir better than in their coop.
    Anyhow, my dd came running in a minute ago and said there was a hen under the house digging a hole in the dirt. So I went and looked and she was laying on her belly in the dirt digging up the dirt around her with one of her feet. Everyonce in a while she would stop and roll around a little in the dirt. DH said he thinks she's dusting herself for mites.
    I went out a minute ago to check on her and there were 3 out of 4 of my hens laying in the dirt scratching the ground with one foot pecking the ground around them. The 4th hen comes up and starts pecking at the others, but she didn't join them. DH still thinks they're dusting themselves for mites. I have no clue what they're doing and after that one that died the other day, I thought I'd check with you guys and see if this is abnormal?

    Thanks
     
  3. Jan 2, 2009 #2
    what was i thinking

    what was i thinking Chillin' With My Peeps

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    just dusting... making a mess.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2009 #3
    Fudgie

    Fudgie Hatching Queen - Got Fudge?

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    My guess is......sorry......DH is ri.... rig,.....rii....wow this is hard to say.... DH is right! [​IMG] Dust bathing is a fav pastime of most chickens!
     
  7. Jan 2, 2009 #4
    The Chicken Lady

    The Chicken Lady Moderator Staff Member

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    They're just taking a dustbath. [​IMG] It's a very normal chicken behavior. Sometimes they'll even turn themselves sideways or completely upside-down while they writhe their legs and wings around.

    Listen to them while they do this; they'll make very happy and contented clucking noises while they dustbathe. Once in a while, they'll peck at things in the dirt because they will unearth a particularly tasty-looking insect, then they'll all cluck with excitement.
     
  9. Jan 2, 2009 #5
    deerman

    deerman Rest in Peace 1949-2012

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    Yes just taken a dust bath .
     
  11. Jan 2, 2009 #6
    tim_TX

    tim_TX Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Dust bathing is natural and does not mean that the birds have mites. A mite infestation is best diagnosed by visual examination.
     
  13. Jan 2, 2009 #7
    fornese

    fornese Out Of The Brooder

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    they are doing what all birds do... taking a dust bath. chickens love it! the more dirt the better.
     
  15. Jan 2, 2009 #8
    gritsar

    gritsar Cows, Chooks & Impys - OH MY!

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    As much as I go on and on about my chickens not being all that bright, they have learned that even if every place else on the farm is wet the dirt is always dry under their coop. That's their favorite place to dustbathe.
     
  17. Jan 2, 2009 #9
    rockabilly7

    rockabilly7 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    [​IMG] mine do that every time I let them out into the run its the first thing they do especially my game hen! She likes to get dirt caked under both her wings before doing anything else! Their just having fun![​IMG]
     
  19. Jan 2, 2009 #10
    basicliving

    basicliving Keepin' the sunny side up

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    Quote:[​IMG]

    Mine are lazy and as soon as one digs a nice dust bath hole, the others pile in on top of her. I love watching them come running from a dust bath when it's treat time - they look like huge dust storms!

    Penny
     
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