How Do Chickens Take a Bath?

First they fill the tub with some hot, steamy water and add their favorite bubble bath. Then they put on some relaxing music, light some candles...

Okay, not really. Chickens actually love taking dirt baths.

If you are raising chickens, they will appreciate a spot to bathe. Any bare spot on the ground will do. The chickens will dig into the dirt, loosening it up, and make a shallow hole. They will flop around in this hole, flinging dirt up into their feathers, and rubbing themselves into the ground.

When my husband and I first saw this behavior, we thought something was wrong with them. Are they having a seizure or something?! No, they are just taking a summer's afternoon bath.

I caught some footage of our girls bathing a couple nights ago:

As you can see, the chickens really enjoy their baths. In my opinion, it is important that they have some loose dirt to bathe in, not only because they clearly love it, but it also keep fleas and other bugs off of them. If you don't have a spot in the yard for them to bathe in, get them some fine sand and put it in a large container. I'm certain they will appreciate it.

And just to show off, here is a quick clip of our newest chick, Polly. She's so darn cute!

Comments

Soapmakers: Why You Shouldn't Use Vinegar if You Come into Contact with Lye

It was one of the first things I learned when I began making my own soap; I read it in books and on the internet: "Always keep a jug of vinegar on hand when you are working with lye. Vinegar neutralizes lye." Soapers, have you heard this? Do you practice the habit of keeping vinegar nearby when you make your soaps? So did I, until recently, when I read an interesting post on a soap forum, and then decided to research the claim myself.

Homemade Drain Cleaner

To avoid clogging and bad odors, sink and tub drains should be periodically cleaned. A once a month cleaning with a non-toxic, homemade cleaner prevents needing a stronger, usually sodium hydroxide (lye) based, cleaner to remove clogs. Sodium hydroxide is extremely caustic, and will damage the lungs if inhaled, burn skin and eyes, and can be fatal if swallowed. In addition, the heat generated by using sodium hydroxide can soften PVC pipes, and damage old, corroded pipes. It also changes the pH of water and can cause fish kills. A much nicer alternative to this harsh chemical is the simple combination of baking soda and vinegar, followed with boiling water. When baking soda and vinegar are combined, they foam and expand, cleaning the sides of your pipes and dissolving fatty acids. The boiling water then washes it all away. This method is a great way to use up the box of baking soda in your frig that is not longer doing a good job of d...

Khachapuri: A Delicious Cheese and Egg Filled Bread

If you love the taste of freshly baked bread, cheese, and eggs, this recipe is for you! It is based on a dish called Khachapuri ( pronunciation here ), which comes from the beautiful country of Georgia, located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Asia. The name Khachapuri translates to "curd bread," owing to the heavenly combination of melted cheeses inside a soft, fluffy bread boat.

We Like Making Our Own Stuff

Search This Blog