Dirt baths?
By superchook
@superchook (1786)
Australia
6 responses
@cockadoodledoo (337)
• Australia
31 Mar 07
Sorry, I dont have chickens so cant answer that one. I guess they do because cats do the same kind of thing. I have a friend that has chickens too, but she actually bathes them in the sink, towel dries them then puts the hair dryer on them. They dont actually go outside very much as they pretty much live in the house. She has 12 of them and they get on really well with the lamb and piglet that live inside too.
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
31 Mar 07
Wow, your friend must really love her chooks. I don't think I could have my chooks living inside, way to messy for me! Having a lamb and piglet and 12 chickens living inside would have to be a nightmare. Maybe your friend is really lonely. Maybe these animals are like children to her. I just hope your friend hasn't got carpet in her place.
I used to know a lady that had over 50 cats in her home, she used to pick up any stray and take them home and then try and find them a place to live. The ones she couldn't she used to keep. The only problem was her house smelt really bad because they used to be inside all the time. They never went outside. She did love all of the cats, but I thought it was a bit cruel having so many living in one house as it was not clean and their food dishes were always so dirty. I know she was doing her best for them though. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
31 Mar 07
I couldn't have 50 cats either. I just wonder how many cat fights go on in her place too. Thanks!
@cockadoodledoo (337)
• Australia
31 Mar 07
My friend cleans her house all day everyday. If she didnt then I thin k the neighbours would complain about the smell they would make. Her house is spotless all of the time even with all her pets inside.
We have 1 cat and I couldnt imagine having anymore. She lives inside where she is safe and we have to clean her litter box every day otherwise it woujld smell. There is no way I could have 50 cats inside. Imagine not only the smell but the cost too.
1 person likes this
@adams03605 (436)
• United States
31 Mar 07
To the best of my knowledge, chickens have lice, so they roll in the dirt to help get rid of the lice so they don't become a huge bother to the chickens.
They don't really roll in the dirt to get clean... they leave that for the piggies!
1 person likes this
@cockadoodledoo (337)
• Australia
31 Mar 07
Funny you mention this lice here. My friend has her chickens live inside and she hand washes each of them. I wouldnt dare mention the word LICE to her LOL!!
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@superchook (1786)
• Australia
31 Mar 07
I was told that too by my breeder, but I have gone over my chooks and they don't seem to have any. So I am not sure if thats it. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@hollydeleon86 (17)
• United States
11 Jun 07
Alright. Chickens wallow in dirt to cool themselves. Have you ever seen a chicken doing this on a cool day? Not usually. They do it when the sun is shining and they find a nice cool or dusty patch of ground. Seriously. I know this sounds strange, but it is true.
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
12 Jun 07
Thanks for this information, it does make sense. It is only when it is warm that I usually see this. I had never thought about them trying to keep cool. Thanks!
@annainorwell (12)
• United States
23 Jul 07
I'm not positive, but I think it's to keep them cool. I always just go and ask the people at backyardchickens.com.
This is a great informational sites for chicken lovers. It has coop designs, and forums with great people who answer all your questions. I have found it extremely helpful in my chicken journeys!
Good luck!
1 person likes this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
23 Jul 07
Thanks for this information, I will definitely go and take a look. I might be able to find out some more information that I am curious about on there. Thanks!
• United States
27 Oct 08
-reply to other person, LICE?! they don't dust bathe to get rid of lice, because as far as i know not all chickens have lice. I have never heard that in my life and i own 5 chickens as pets and i assure you, they do not have lice. My chickens dust bathe to cool themselves because its very hot where i live and now that theyve gotten to big they cant go inside the house because they step on things and break them. xD but most of the time i looks like they dust bathe just for the pure enjoyment and its amusing to them. I used to give my chickens baths in our sink and dry them off with a towel because hair dryers but burn the feathers. They got too big for the sink and hate it in there anyway so i use a watering can or something to shower them. they usually dry off in the sun or i towel dry them. ;) yes backyardchickens is a good place. good luck!
