Why do my chickens roll in the dirt

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

 

[901434]

Welcome. I am a newbie too and this site and the people are amazing. You always get an answer to your question. I had the same question too. My birds love to take a dust bath. I actually put an old litter box with some nice fine ground/dirt inside the barn so they can bathe even when it has been wet outside.

Melissa

 

[drumstick diva]

Chickens love a good dust bath so much they often fall asleep doing it - which makes their owners think they are really dead this time. If in serious doubt rattle the treat can and see if they wake up.

 

[gander007]

Yep it is fun to watch them flap around in the sand and make little holes in the yard and it is really helpful as chickens really try to avoid getting wet so the sand and dirt makes up for the water ......

 

[LesGus5]

Hey everybody thanks for the great info. It looked pretty natural for them so I was sure OK. But it's nice to know exactly what there doing. As always this community always deliverers. Thanks again.

Welcome!. You should see the crazy mess the wild turkeys make trying to dust bathe in our yard/wood chips!!!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. I provide my chickens with a big, flat box with wood ash in it for bathing. The chickens are crazy about it, and the wood ash is more effective than dirt at preventing lice or mite infestations. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.

 

[Twztedcheerio]

Hello Wyandottes7!

Do you happen to know of any Wyandotte breeders in/near the Kansas City area?

 

[Twztedcheerio]

My chickens have designated two spots in my flower bed that have the softest dirt and after they make their rounds around the yard they finish with Dirt Bath Cuddling!
I will say that have worked the soil so well in that one area, its a shame I can't plant anything there. I mean, I guess I could plant something there, but I don't want to relocate their bathtime!

 

[sdlauri]

I thought mine all died....1st time chicken owner...LOL