Do chickens sunbathe??

[Fancyfeetchick]

So I've seen my chicken do this numerous times and I have to say the first time I saw it- I thought she was dead! Sometimes when I let my flock out during mid day hours one (a RIR, I think) will sprawl out on the ground-, legs, wings, everything - she will puff out her feathers and lay in the sun. She won't do it for long, but I haven't seen any of the other chickens do it. Just curious is anyone knew why....

 

[Amarisus]

Yes they sunbathe and they also dust bathe. I've been startled on many occasions thinking my chickens were dead when they were just sunbatheing lol

 

[Fancyfeetchick]

The first time I saw it I thought for sure something had gotten a hold of her! She looked a mess!
I've introduced the "dust bucket" to my flock with DE, but no one really seems interested in it just yet. I think by the holes they've dug in thier run, they prefer the cold wet sand for now.
Should I just leave the DE in the run for now and see if they will dust on thier own? Or should I model for them what it's for?

 

[Back2MyRoots]

My girls all sunbathe first thing in the morning as soon as they wake. They put their backs to the sun and spread their wings while they wait for me to bring their yogurt and veggies. Then in the afternoon when the heat gets on up there, they dig holes in the sand of their run and sleep in the damp sand. They dust bathe (wallow and roll around in the sand) just before going to roost for the night. They are such funny little creatures of habit!

 

[ldutch123]

When I first got my chickens and I saw them lay out in the sun I was panicked! They look like they are dying.

I usually mix the de with some dirt or sand. Mine go nuts! The DE may be a bit too dusty alone. Also I put it in a box and man they LOVE THAT. it's like the perfect private bath lol. Mix a little sand in it and/or dirt, they will love it

 

[Back2MyRoots]

ok, gotta ask a stupid question....... What's DE?

 

[Amarisus]

Its short for a product called "diatomaceous earth" its supposed to kill mites and fleas on the chickens and I've heard if consumed by the chickens it also kills worms.

 

[Back2MyRoots]

Its short for a product called "diatomaceous earth" its supposed to kill mites and fleas on the chickens and I've heard if consumed by the chickens it also kills worms.

Really now?!? And where do I get that stuff? Could I mix it straight into the sand in their run? Why don'tI know about these things? I feel so sorry for my birds sometimes---I am so clueless!

 

[Fancyfeetchick]

You can get DE at your local TSC. That's where I got mine. Pretty cheap. You can mix it in thier sand. Should not be a problem. I was having issues with the sand in thier run stinking from thier poop abd pee- and with the rain here in Georgia. I bought sweet PDZ and put that in thier run and under the coop and it seemed to help dry out to poop
But I have one problem I cannot seem to solve and that's the FLIES!! Any one have luck on getting rid of flies??

 

[Back2MyRoots]

You can get DE at your local TSC. That's where I got mine. Pretty cheap. You can mix it in thier sand. Should not be a problem. I was having issues with the sand in thier run stinking from thier poop abd pee- and with the rain here in Georgia. I bought sweet PDZ and put that in thier run and under the coop and it seemed to help dry out to poop
But I have one problem I cannot seem to solve and that's the FLIES!! Any one have luck on getting rid of flies??

I hang fly paper from the rafters of the coop and run. Then I heard about a month ago that rosemary and basil are natural fly deterants. I have noticed that I rarely see them around my herb bed, so I transplanted a few plants to put around the run. I seems to have helped for the ground level, but they still fly up high---then the fly paper gets them. Works very well so far.

The chickens don't bother the herbs too much---I guess they are too strong in flavor. It's too bad really; I was hoping for some basil and rosemary flavored chicken!!!