Chickens digging holes and taking dust baths...

[Minky]

My hens will sometimes dig holes and roll about in the straw/dirt in the barn. Its deep winter here and there is nothing for them to do...so perhaps its boredom. I know this is something they do- I have assumed its natural and normal. When should i be concerned that it is something that needs taking care of,(like mites?) and when it is just normal chicken behaviour- is there a line to be drawn?
I'd say I notice pot hols once a week, and catch them dust bathing around the same amount. I'm in there maybe 4-5 times a day. Cheers

 

[Peeps61]

My hens will sometimes dig holes and roll about in the straw/dirt in the barn. Its deep winter here and there is nothing for them to do...so perhaps its boredom. I know this is something they do- I have assumed its natural and normal. When should i be concerned that it is something that needs taking care of,(like mites?) and when it is just normal chicken behaviour- is there a line to be drawn?
I'd say I notice pot hols once a week, and catch them dust bathing around the same amount. I'm in there maybe 4-5 times a day. Cheers

Hi - perfectly normal. Mine do it all the time. Mites can be seen upon examination - you should check them from time to time, especially around the vent area, or if they are getting ragged looking and aren't molting.

 

[Percheron chick]

Give then a cat litter pan filled with dirt or ashes so they can bathe properly.

 

[Minky]

Great, thanks. Mine are just 7 months, so not molting, just having a nice bath i guess.

 

[Minky]

Give then a cat litter pan filled with dirt or ashes so they can bathe properly.

Why would a plastic container make the dust bath better? The holes they dig in the dirt are maybe 6-8 inches deep, and designed by them....

 

[ben0125]

dust baths are completely normal for chickens and necessary! even my 2-week old chicks dust bathe.

 

[Percheron chick]

Great, thanks. Mine are just 7 months, so not molting, just having a nice bath i guess.

They use the dust to clean themselves. The bath needs to be dry and fluffy so they can work it all the way down the feather shalf.

 

[CCUK]

Yes. It's normal. I have potholes all over that they scratch about and bathe in. I also have a wheelbarrow filled with sand and topsoil in the run for when they can't come out.

 

[aart]

Why would a plastic container make the dust bath better? The holes they dig in the dirt are maybe 6-8 inches deep, and designed by them....

As long as they have access to dry loose soil to bathe in, there's no need for a pan.
Some folks in cold climates put a pan in the coop during winter if no other bathing is available. I've done the 'pan in coop' thing in the past, until I got their sheltered area to stay dry enough not to freeze.