mrsatroy Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 As a newbie each day brings something new and interesting in my new life as a chicken keeper. Recently I had left the girls out into their area of the garden that is fenced off with Omlet netting. They were happily pottering about under the fruit trees and scratching about so I went off about my business. I checked them again out the window about 10 minutes later and to my horror I saw Rosie - my head hen - on the ground under the plum tree having what I thought was some kind of a fit! I went running out all concerned and panic stricken - as she soon as she saw my she pops up and comes running over expecting a treat. What had happened her?? Then to my intense amusement I discovered she had scratched out a hollow in the lovely sandy soil under the tree and had been happily dust bathing! Having never seen the phenomenon before I was a bit taken aback by the whole procedure! Since all four girls have taken to dust bathing under the poor plum tree who I fear will not survive her poor roots being exposed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HennyPenny59 Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 That really made me laugh You should retitle your thread "Having a fit of laughter" I remember my OH thinking back in the summer that all our girls were dying, when all they were doing was sunbathing .. You know, when they lay flat on their sides spreading out a wing, resembling what I think looks like Road Kill !!! Our girls were trying to kill a little Crab Apple Tree that I planted back in the Spring ... I filled all the soil back in and surrounded it with large rocks, and they cant dust bathe their anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 I remember my OH thinking back in the summer that all our girls were dying, when all they were doing was sunbathing .. You know, when they lay flat on their sides spreading out a wing, resembling what I think looks like Road Kill !!! I love watching them sunbathing especially when they do that thing where they stretch out one leg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 I knew exactly what this post was about as soon as I read the title. OH and I first encountered Viv doing this at the back of the run. Tries to disturb her to no avail. Totally panicked we let the others out and I was about to crawl in almost in tears when up she hoppe and ran after her pals! Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody Here then passed on a useful tip about the preening gland at the base of their tail and not mistaking it for a tumour - passing on so you too can avoid a red face at the vets! Love watching my girls have a dust bath now - they are particularly excited when the run floor gets changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 So funny - I also did the same thing with my first lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
