[della25]

Hi
I am new to this site and to keeping hens

We purchased 3 warren hens just over a week ago

One has laid 3 eggs this week

Today they came out of the coop had food and drink but then two of them started digging the ground and are huddled together in the main run in the soil - is this normal or should i be looking for a problem/illness

I feed them on laying pellets and oyster shell also some scraps
They have food and water in the coop over night

Hope this doesn't sound an odd question

Many thanks

[freebirdy]

They are probably just digging themselves a dust bath hole! All completely natural behavour. They will scratch around to loosen dirt then use their wings to throw it over themselves. This is a natural way for the birds to deal with parasites and for cleaning. Just as you see wild birds like sparrows etc dust bathing.
Just as a note to you, you shouldn't be keeping food or water in the hen house over night. Spillages of water will cause dampness so a breeding ground for moulds. Chooks are prone to respatory probs caused by damp and mould! Food should be removed to deter rodents. Chickens need neither food or water during the night. Once they settle down to roost and sleep - that's it zzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!! Sweet chook dreams. 

[Helenaj]

Yes, they are dustbathing - mine have dug so many holes it's a nightmare on these dark evenings to walk around their compound! Don't be alarmed either on a dry sunny day to see them all laying around as if dead - chooks love to sunbathe and the first time I saw mine doing it I thought they were dead! Scared the living daylights out of me!

I would echo freebirdy's comments on water and feed, don't leave it in the coop overnight they don't eat or drink whilst roosting and if there's a rat in the vicinity it will discover the food and bring its family, friends and neighbours to join in the feast!

[della25]

 
many thanks for your reply
food and drink holders taken out
once again thanks
nice to know i have happy hens and not sick ones