I have a digging problem

[cluckmecoop7]

Help! My chickens are digging their home apart!!

Well, not quite. But, they are digging in three of the corners of the run. They are digging it deeper and deeper everyday. My question is: How do I stop them? I don't want them to ruin all my work building the coop and run.

Thanks in advance!

Cluckmecoop7, signing off.

 

[Soy Milano]

There are probably trying to create somewhere to dustbathe. Why not provide them a dustbathing area ? That would probably stop it.

 

[IamRainey]

Right! Dust bathing or escaping from the heat. My girls start digging themselves in once temps hit the 90s.

Chickens digging from the inside is another reason to dig your hardware cloth in really well. If they're digging from the inside and predators are digging from the outside you'd better have it sunk a good 12"-18".

Meanwhile, get in there with a rake and fill the holes in. See if you can get them to dig in new spots or at least not keep going deeper every day.

 

[Steven Bussell]

Dig a hole in the middle of the run. It doesn't have to be very deep. And put treats and grits in it. Put a little bit of dirt over it. It works well. Trust me.

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

I agree with Cooling Off. The deeper you go in the ground the cooler it is. Think CAVES...Depending on depth, in moderate temp parts of the world, they are a Constant 45 to 55°F, and 85 to 95 % Humidity. A great place to store and age, Cheese and Wine. Example, The Cheese Caves of Roquefort France!...JJ

 

[Shadrach]

They're trying to get out.

 

[Steven Bussell]

Where I live it's not very hot. Plus my lady have 10'× 10' of shade. And they dig like they are looking for gold.
I believe they are like dogs. Some dig some don't.

 

[IamRainey]

Some dig some don't.

This is true! I've got 6 subjected to the same heat and other conditions. I don't know when I've found more than 2 dug in at a time. There's plenty of room if more wanted to but some are good standing in front of the fans. Some are good going about their business. And I'm not certain sure it's the same ones making the same choice at any given moment either.

No matter. So long as they have options and resources and meet their needs. Wish that were true for more of the human race...

 

[Steven Bussell]

This is true! I've got 6 subjected to the same heat and other conditions. I don't know when I've found more than 2 dug in at a time. There's plenty of room if more wanted to but some are good standing in front of the fans. Some are good going about their business. And I'm not certain sure it's the same ones making the same choice at any given moment either.

No matter. So long as they have options and resources and meet their needs. Wish that were true for more of the human race...

You are so right. We just have to put our 13 year old lab to rest. We recused from a very bad life when she was only a month old. She was 3 months old when started limping. We bought our house because we lived in a two story apt. No way was I going to carry a adult lab up stairs. 2 months ago she couldn't walk anymore with out pain. Her vet told us he couldn't do anything to make her pain free because we were using medication that would cause her liver to fell. And we were at the early stages of that happening. Very 30 days $300 vet bill for 3 years.
We know that that was a lot of money that could help people .
I had never cried that hard in my life.
We keep her ashes on our fireplace mantel.
Sorry... it still hurts
A little off topic

 

[IamRainey]

So sorry to hear what you've all been through!