Re Rustica

Chickens will burrow out holes for bathing

Chickens rely on us to provide clean, dry, safe coops, to take care of them if they get sick or injured, and occasionally provide a healthy and delicious treat or a hug. However, chickens also need us to allow them the space to play and run around so they can digest their food (exercise is as important for people as it is for chickens and other animals), the nutritious pasture for them to find grass and other vegetables (and the occasional mouse or insect). They also need dirt for baths. They LOVE baths.

Rodney, our new Head Rooster, the first day of his freedom reacted as most (recently) cooped birds do upon liberation. He cowered inside the coop, then gradually began to explore with the other birds, and then relaxed. He romped and tasted new things, and then he had a VERY execllent bath. Chickens like to bathe with friends, and his new sweetheart, the crazed Americana we call “Crazy,” came by and splashed him with dust. He splashed her with dust and they then had a good sun nap, laying on their backs, sunning their bellies.

Our former head rooster, Scuttle, likes to hide behind the bathing tree and pounce on unsuspecting bathers. He gets a lot of enjoyment out of scattering the hens and other roosters.

Baths are as fun as they are important for the health of our birds. Dirt baths reduce disease and improve egg production.