My chickens are acting funny today

[marilyn1954]

My chicks who are a bit over a month old, did something different today, not all of them but 3 of them. They were laying down then they kind of wiggled low to the ground, then rolled on their backs and wiggled on their backs while some of the others came over and were gently picking at their feathers then they would start rolling over avs over. They are all girls. Is this a strange thing to do??

 

[Mountain Peeps]

My chicks who are a bit over a month old, did something different today, not all of them but 3 of them. They were laying down then they kind of wiggled low to the ground, then rolled on their backs and wiggled on their backs while some of the others came over and were gently picking at their feathers then they would start rolling over avs over. They are all girls. Is this a strange thing to do??

Were they dirt bathing?

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Sounds like they are trying to take a dust bathe? If so, this is normal behavior. They dig a little hole and in lay on their side and wiggle and pull the dirt up through their feathers. Chicken grooming.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Sounds like they are trying to take a dust bathe? If so, this is normal behavior. They dig a little hole and in lay on their side and wiggle and pull the dirt up through their feathers. Chicken grooming.

x2. Also, the other chicks will sometimes peck the bedding off of them.

 

[marilyn1954]

Sounds like what they were doing! Can I do anything to help them, you know add wood chips grass clippings anything?

 

[marilyn1954]

It was my lucky day finding this site

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Sounds like what they were doing! Can I do anything to help them, you know add wood chips grass clippings anything?

What kind of bedding do they have? If it's just wood shavings, straw or shredded paper, then they don't need anything really. (Unless you want to spoil them like me and give them a small bowl filled with dirt and grass.) If there is no bedding then consider adding something.

 

[marilyn1954]

I am using straw but thinking of changing to pine chips, I think once a week I can just sweep out the pine chips and it seems easier to clean

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I am using straw but thinking of changing to pine chips, I think once a week I can just sweep out the pine chips and it seems easier to clean

Yes it is. Good luck!

 

[marilyn1954]

How often should you clean the chicken house?