Why is my hen scratching and laying in the dirt??

mommap · « **on:** January 07, 2008, 20:50 »

I noticed one of our hens is laying in the dirt and scratching around it almost like nesting??? One of the other hens keeps walking up and pecking at her as to say "Hey get up!"... LOL She hops up and moves right back to her spot... Is she looking for bugs?? This is happening in our fenced in Chicken Yard.

Thank you in Advance

Selkie · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2008, 20:50 »

Is she having a dust bath?

slowef · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2008, 21:22 »

She is in Chicken Heaven or in otherwords having a bath. Mine are quite ecstatic when they find a dry patch to roll in and huge clouds of dust fly everywhere. I love to watch them especially when one gets it just right and 2-3 more try to join her.

Wonderful Happy Chickens

SnooziSuzi · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2008, 21:24 »

MIne have discovered a dry bit in the mud in the greenhouse and can be in there for an hour! I'll post a pic very soon!

mommap · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2008, 21:42 »

LOL.... OMG... Thank you ladies! I was about to go in and help her up... LOL..... She would probably prefer I mind my own business... I love it... We have only had the hens since March, so I am still learning something new everyday... Besides, I am a city girl that has been transplanted into the country! However, I have fallen in love with my girls...

Thanks again..

Sherrie

WG. · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2008, 21:43 »

Whereabouts are you based please Sherrie?

SnooziSuzi · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2008, 21:44 »

by the way, welcome to the forum Sherrie!

mommap · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2008, 21:52 »

Howdee!!... I just joined today so give me a day or two and I will get my profile updated... I live in Tennessee, USA. I am trying to figure out how to add a photo.... but every time I try,,, it says my photo is too large

...

Or too many pix's.... but I'll keep trying..

Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm glad to be here.....

WG. · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2008, 21:54 »

I thought it was USA by the language

Picture upload (and Profile edit) instructions are available on the Help link in my signature.

Selkie · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2008, 22:44 »

Welcome to the site Sherrie

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2008, 22:45 »

A big WELCOME Sherrie

slowef · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2008, 22:48 »

Here's Yummy having a bath not a very good photo but she is enjoying it her chicks are more interested in eating. One of those chicks was Wellie as a baby

Selkie · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2008, 22:48 »

Sherrie, here are my two hens in a dust bath

They love it so much that they try to push each other out (they haven't figured out that they should just dig one each)

Selkie · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2008, 22:49 »

Quote from: "slowef"

Here's Yummy having a bath not a very good photo but she is enjoying it her chicks are more interested in eating. One of those chicks was Wellie as a baby

oh I love it when they roll their neck round in it too

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2008, 23:12 »

Well, we extended the chook run even more with some of that orange barrier stuff, but even after only a week, the girls have eaten most of the grass, and in the other run where there's no grass, its just mud, so this afternoon we put more barrier fencing across from the run to the polytunnel and opened that up, so THIS is dust bathing on a grand scale!!!! lol

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I'll put the other pics on the poultry pics thread!!

Sorry, hello and welcome from me too Mommap!!!!!

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Why is my hen scratching and laying in the dirt??

Selkie

WG.

WG.

Selkie

Selkie

Selkie