dust bath

[maizey]

My 2 week old chicks were doing it today when I put them out for a bit... They were all elbowing each other to get to the good spot and seemed to really really like it.. they made this little trilling noise and Im pretty sure their eyes were rolled back in their heads. They were cheesed when i scooped them up and put them back in the brooder box. First time I saw it though I thought they were having death throws or something, one in particular lays flat out and really gets into it... thought for sure she was spasing out.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
I agree they love kicking dirt all over their buddy's. Its a social thing.

 

[TomG]

I have a dry and very dusty area they go to. Usually right before I have company. They present themselves looking like they have been dragged behind a car on a dirt road. They wear the dust for a while then shake it off a few times and look great again after the company leaves.

 

[BitsyB]

I have a dry and very dusty area they go to. Usually right before I have company. They present themselves looking like they have been dragged behind a car on a dirt road. They wear the dust for a while then shake it off a few times and look great again after the company leaves

Yes! And it's usually after I've given a shpeil about how well-taken care of my chickens are!

Also (I'm embarassed to admit this) but sometimes I let my chickens into the kitchen, you know, to hang out for a while and eat the crumbs off the floor, and then one of them shakes, and boy all that dust from the dust bath just comes off...

 

[franklinchickens]

I went out in the back today and found one of my EE gals buried almost up to her neck in a planter! Tried to get a pic but was too late - she saw me coming and figured I had treats. Dirt everywhere! They love the garden beds now that they are empty of plants - always digging around and getting covered in dirt. But in their run, half of it is shavings and the other half is playground sand. They don't spend too much time in there as they free range most of the day but I suspect as it gets colder, they will.

 

[turbo13]

My gals love to dust bath.They turn on their side ,and let me pour dirt under their wings.Too cute.

 

[Earthy]

"Long time lurker, first time poster..."

About 8 years ago we had a 'house chicken' for several months (long story). 'Twas then I noticed that the dust-bathing instinct was so strong that she took "dust baths" on our wall-to-wall carpet. And no, while I'm not Martha Stewart, my house really isn't that bad...Any cloud of dust was only in her head, but she went through all the motions, wallowing in with her tummy, stretching out each wing in turn, then flapping it energetically, getting that non-existent dust into each wing pit...all capped off with some vigorous shaking & fluffing, of course. What a kook. That's when I realized how hard-wired this behavior is.

(When she began insisting on roosting on the piano, it was time to bite the bullet and train her to get along with a few siblings outside...)

 

[BitsyB]

Long time lurker, first time poster..."

About 8 years ago we had a 'house chicken' for several months (long story). 'Twas then I noticed that the dust-bathing instinct was so strong that she took "dust baths" on our wall-to-wall carpet. And no, while I'm not Martha Stewart, my house really isn't that bad...Any cloud of dust was only in her head, but she went through all the motions, wallowing in with her tummy, stretching out each wing in turn, then flapping it energetically, getting that non-existent dust into each wing pit...all capped off with some vigorous shaking & fluffing, of course. What a kook. That's when I realized how hard-wired this behavior is.

(When she began insisting on roosting on the piano, it was time to bite the bullet and train her to get along with a few siblings outside...)

Cute story! And BTW welcome to BYC!

(I'm new here myself, lurked for a good year or 2 before posting)

BYC makes me realize there are a lot of people out there who love their chickens as much as I do, and no, I'm not crazy to have them and get great enjoyment from them.

 

[papeine]

Quote:
looks like I need to find a small pool...

 

[7L Farm]

Chickens Like to be dirty . I think its healthy.