One of my 8-9 week old white leghorn is laying down in our garden all day with ruffled feathers

[123abcde]

The title is pretty self explanatory, but basically one of my white leghorns who are 8-9 weeks old are just sitting in my garden all day in the soil without doing anything, occasionally shaking the dirt out of her feathers or turning upside down to move her legs. Why is she doing this? All I can find online is dust bathing, but only this chicken has done this. Is she okay?

 

[Alaskaliz]

That is concerning. I would make sure she has some nutridrench, add electrolites, give extra feed/treats soft eggs are normally good. Check for bugs at base of feathers, missing feathers, dirty but, etc. Post pic of her poo.

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

Agree with Alaskaliz and the covering with dirt is trying to get themselves coated and stop the itchy so she may have something trying to chew her up. Dust bathing is 100% natural and good thing to do. She may be the only one in your group that has figured it out or you haven't noticed others doing it. I have a few that roll in it and then nap in the good dusting spot. It leads to them getting yelled at a lot. They don't care though, just sit there and ignore the noise.. .. They do enjoy dust baths. Long ones aren't always the normal but check her feathers and really look for any creepy crawlies, mites are tiny so it can be hard to spot when they aren't full size. Have you seen her eat or drink? Would she eat if you offered her a treat or goody of some kind?

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Sounds like she’s taking a nice relaxing dust bath. Chickens will go to find the best place with the best dirt to dust in so that may be why she is doing it in the soil. This is about the age that they should learn how to do it although many start before. Also this is the chickens’ way to stay clean so you will see a lot more!