I am new to the world of chickens and I wanted to see if anyone new what these two might be doing. They are about 12 weeks old, and these two are laying in the dirt ruffling their feathers so that dirt gets on them and just laying there almost fighting over the spot. I tried to move them and they just went to another part of the coop(outside) and layed in a different area of dirt. None of the others are doing this do you think they are sick or something. Do not see any bugs on them. Do chickens get bugs or flea like things? It is starting to get warm out but only about 80 degrees. I lost one chicken 3 weeks ago so I medicated all of them. Just wanted some others thoughts on this. Thank you. Michelle in Washington
don't worry they are just taking dust baths. Thats natures cure for lice. Mine do it all the time. Even the roo's do it.
Just a dust bath...the first time that Tom took one, I rushed out the back door screaming her name. I figured she was having convulsions and dying...nope, she shook off and walked away disgusted at me for interrupting her bath.
Taking a dust bath in a brooder isn't that odd. My guinea used to try to take them sitting in my lap.
mine have a favorite spot that is now so deep that two of them get in together and you can only see their little chicken heads sticking up. my roo is so numb he tries to dirtbath anywhere anytime...even on the porch. when they are done (i mean REALLY done) mine act like they are dead...I ran screaming out to the coop the first time one of them pulled that, too.
Yup, on hot summer days they'll dig a fine big old hole (usually in your prize rose bed, or peonies, or some other expensive flower...) and the dirt really gets flying. Then they'll have a little nap where they look loke dead things for sure!