Why do chickens take dust baths?

[Teach97]

Why do chickens take dust baths?

Cuz they can't hold a bar of soap!

 

[CallyB57]

Mine find the area inside the fenced pen that has damp soil, not wet, that is kind of loose..then they roll on their sides and scratch and sometimes end up taking a little 'siesta' in the same spot. I read that this keeps the mites down, but mine do not have any mites...probably just instinct? They do love it...and it IS funny. I think it cools them down also, as the dirt is cool and they get so hot when it's over 80 degrees. I always wondered why they have to sit in the same spot on the roosting board every night, or they will fight and try to push under or step on top of, each other...I sometimes put them in their 'established' order just so they won't fight. They are worse than little kids.

 

[SproutGirl]

I have one who dust bathes because she's a little piggy. She even mud bathes if it is lightly raining outside. Sometimes all you can see are her little eyes and her beak sticking out of the dirt or mud. She is so funny!

 

[CallyB57]

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[astylishgirl]

Chickens are so darned cute!