
Over the last couple of months, the hens have sometimes looked as if they are moping around, complaining about the rain, wind and cold. The soil is too compacted for them to dig into properly (even though I keep forking and digging it). They cluster together under the pear tree, moaning about the season of winter and wishing for spring – their favourite time – to arrive.
And then, one day, it was as if Santa had arrived (this was before Christmas) with a big bag of goodies. It was actually Simon with woodchip, but when this simple substance was scattered on top of the damp, slightly sticky earth, the ladies came over curiously, with mounting excitement.
This needs investigating, they pondered.

Then Jemima revealed all.
‘It’s a day at the spa!’ she proclaimed.
At that, the hens got stuck in, quite literally. Rubbing and rolling themselves into the woodchip, having a luxurious dust bath.
They often have these baths in spring and summer, when the earth is dry, but don’t have this opportunity so much in the winter.
For some reason, Dottie kept appearing under Jemima, which caused her friend and pecking order leader some frustration, understandably.

All in all, it was the height of luxury and this day at the spa was just what they needed to cheer themselves up during the cold, dark winter months.
In one of my chicken books, there is guidance on making a permanent dust bath for hens which I think would be much appreciated by Jemima and co.
Fact of the Day
Dustbathing helps to keep chickens free of parasites.
Ah lovely fun post. My two always loved a good dust bath. It brought back fond memories of my two girls. Roll on spring when I may get some more hens.
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Thank you Alison. Yes, they love their dust baths! They looked like they were enjoying luxury as they hadn’t had one for a while. Hens are wonderful to have. If you get some more, I look forward to reading about them. π
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That was not only cute but informative Clare.
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Thank you Linda. π
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I bet they were happy with their special spa day!
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They loved it! π
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Its for all chicks to have a spa day.
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Its what all chicks need to have a spa day.
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Definitely! π
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Congratulations! Your blog has been included in INTERESTING BLOGS in FRIDAY FOSSICKING at
https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2020/01/friday-fossicking-31st-jan-2020.html
Thank you, Chris
I love reading about your little feathered family.. I grew up with chickens, and still love them… not quite suitable for suburbia unfortunately. I will just enjoy yours from afar…
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Thank you very much Chris. It’s a shame you can’t have hens, they are wonderful characters. Hopefully, maybe one day in the future you might be able to keep them again.
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I’d love that… however I make do by having numerous lorikeets, butcher birds, magpies, doves, mynahs and now and then a kookaburra or two…visiting early each morning and over the day…
Then at night, the possums take over… you can see some of them on my Flickr page… https://www.flickr.com/photos/crissouli/albums
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