Stupid Question ???

[Arlo]

I noticed my hens laying in the run and rolling around in the dirt kind of like an elephant dusting is this normal and if so why do they do this.

Arlo

 

[SpottedCrow]

Perfectly normal...it's called dust bathing and you are certain to have craters all over your yard.
They use it to get bugs out of their feathers and because it feels good to them.

 

[Dawn419]

Here are 2 videos from when our chicks first started doing their dust bathing...I spent alot of time watching and laughing!

http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/TnWren/?action=view&current=Captured2007-6-1500000.flv

http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/TnWren/?action=view&current=Captured2007-6-1500001.flv

Dawn

 

[Arlo]

Yup that is what she was doing.. Funny to watch do you put bedding in your run or is that inside the coop?

 

[Dawn419]

They were still in the indoor brooder (and only a few weeks old) when I took the videos. They'll be 19 weeks old tomorrow!

Dawn

 

[FrankBlissett]

"...Funny to watch..."

Till they find that nice, soft dirt in your flower beds, that is!

-Frank

 

[Wooden_Pony]

Or all my fresh "Gorilla Hair" boy that was a waste of my time and money!!

But, hey my girl's had fun.

 

[bantymum]

I always make a dust bath for my girls, and I put lice powder in the dirt too.
Its a nice way for them to clean themselves.
Theres some threads about people putting ashes from the fireplace in too, they love that as well.
I love watching the mums having their first bath with the chicks, the chicks get in the way and get thrown out when mum kicks her legs out.