2 Weird Things All Chickens Do

Every chicken does these 2 weird things. One is a “dust bath”. The other is “molting”. Learn all about them in this video.
Get my chicken book here: beckyshomestea...

[@brendasmith5937]

Oh and dont be surprised when you think your chicken is dead when dust bathing! Sometimes they will dust bathe and then just lay there in the sun for a while.

[@cocothequail8042]

i know the first time i saw my chicken sub batheing i throught she had died ha ha until i open the door and then she came running to me!!!!

[@myleekapsner563]

Brenda Smith it’s true! 😂

[@maryjohnston6123]

I love this women. She is so knowledgeable on chickens and other animals. I wish I could find a homestead like hers. She is a Happy person. I like that....😄

[@joannemarlow5482]

Mary Johnston l

[@shafiullahmawlavizada778]

Mary Johnston is she singly?

[@rickmanley767]

She does have a pleasant disposition

[@preppyxhar643]

I am getting chickens so I have watched all of your chicken videos

[@sabariahriah3189]

👍👍👍

[@BenniLkitchengarden]

Small wild birds also often take a dust or sand bath. They do this in order to clean away bugs and insects they may have. Nice to watch them do so.

[@gpymama]

The first time I saw my hen do this I thought it was dying. Lol

[@dawncierelli1510]

Jenny--when I first saw my first "dust bath", I thought my chicken was dying---LOL. A friend of mine that raises chickens, told me what was going on--I felt so foolish! A city girl---but learning, learning, learning. I thank you for all your awesome videos--I've learned so much! :)

[@juditharias1974]

Yea my dog gets so scared

[@pookiehoney]

If I saw that and didn't know I'd surely think my chicken was dying too lol

[@Lydia-ho6mm]

Hello! I own a rooster and a hen- also a city girl- and they loved me would run up to me and walk with me around my backyard now today I brought them a special treat (worms) and usually they don’t mind me petting them as long as I do it gently . I went up to them with some worms and they were happy, but after a couple of minutes, they slowly walked into the front yard and started digging when I tried getting them back they flinched and ran away from me. I pet my hen more and tried petting him and flapped his wings as a form of defense they weren’t following me back to the back yard. I’m a little worried I’ve lost my bond with them what happened? Has this happened to you ever? I’m a little upset right now because I love my chickens and now they never listen... has the happened to you?

[@jacksisco997]

I use old tires, just fill the center with soil. My girls love it!

[@mariemin946]

Great idea !💕🐓

[@linkadrip]

Enjoying your videos and learning about my crazy chickens.

[@avalloyd712]

Becky I love you and you have been getting me through the hard time of a coyote killing all my chickens and one of my two turkeys, the one survivor is named daisy and she has a broken leg and a cut on her back but she’s a brave little turkey and I love her. Thank you

[@BeckysHomestead]

Build a better coop. That is the key to success☀️❤️☀️

[@gpymama]

😭

[@avalloyd712]

Becky's Homestead thank you so much I’ll try that

[@justinewhite-hadley3138]

I am so sorry for your loss 😢We've lost 2 to a Bobcat. Our Rooster boys put up one hell of a fight and protected our girls, but they sacrificed their lives to do so. Two separate occasions. 1 year apart. It hurts, I know.

[@Walkerbtween]

Two years for me to get over two raccoons killing off my 5 backyard chickens. In process of rebuilding the coop to better safety standards and anti-raccoon hands by using locks instead of latches. I've noticed opossums around my semi-rural area. Are they a predator risk too? Anyway, wish me luck.

[@casimiralexander]

I am so effected by your natural, authentic self and delivery. Thank you

[@ashleyrichards9511]

Becky, you make chicken keeping fun! Building your own cabin is amazing! For some reason I really love your enthusiasm and passion for chickens too!

[@napat327]

Tub with construction sand would work but it’s really messy. I have to fill up the sand 2-3 times a week.

[@g_arende6617]

I don't have chickens but the calmness I get from these videos are unreal!!

[@utahprepper8925]

Around our place all sorts of little birds also do dust baths. We have all these tiny craters all over the place. These little birds also take splash-baths in the water when there is some.

[@LittleIowaHomestead]

You've got some absolutely beautiful chickens

[@BeckysHomestead]

Thank you❤️❤️

[@andrawagner4603]

Thank you so much Becky! I wanted to start a backyard flock but didn’t know how to raise chicks so I researched and learned everything I needed to know because of you you tremendously helped start my flock and now I have six healthy five week old chickens! Again I’ve learned everything from you and just wanted to thank you for being so helpful!

[@dreamzofhorses]

Most animals roll in soft dirt. Birds, dogs, cats, horses, pigs... It might be for pests, grooming, to cover their scent, to cool off or just because it feels good! My horses, dogs and cats do it every day, some more than once a day. My chickens do it a couple tImes a week and the pig in mud when it’s hot.

[@BeckysHomestead]

True☀️❤️☀️

[@powerballa13]

Just wanted to say , "You are the sweetest!!! Ever!"...Our chickens were in a slump and we have pampered them and have raised different breeds for many years now. Well, we ventured with Speckled Sussex this time around and we were getting disappointed. When they finally got of age to lay. They laid but only a few short months then nothing for a whole year. We were trying all sorts of things ! We forgot about one tip you had given "dog kibble"...within 2 weeks we started getting eggs again! "Yay!!!". Now, 3 weeks more and more of our ladies are laying. We are excited and wanted to share and say ," A Big Thank You!!!!!"...Bless you dear lady!!!! Keep up the love!

[@BeckysHomestead]

Good to hear. Chickens need quite a bit of animal protein to be healthy☀️❤️☀️

[@mweber5459]

What were you feeding them before? Just curious

[@themystic6851]

These videos inspired me to raise a small flock of chickens again!!! Thank you Ms Becky!!!

[@chanetelparks]

You look so radiant Becky! Your skin is glowing!

[@BeckysHomestead]

Thanks

[@SavvyOrganicsFarm]

Nice video! Nice work Becky. We love watching our chickens take dirt naps, dirt baths. With 80 birds, there are lots of holes. Go with the flow! Love it.

[@Tabaraka562]

I’m surprised people didn’t comment on it but while rolling in the sand chickens eat a lot of stones which help them make the eggshells... I enjoy watching your videos.

[@impunitythebagpuss]

Eating gravel because they have no teeth...they use it in the gizzard to grind their food...all birds need this.

[@JanColdwater]

I see local birds do dust bathing too! I never knew how long it would take for feathers to grow back. Nice video! 👍

[@justinewhite-hadley3138]

Yes, dirt bathing is critical to keep mites at bay!! We moved to a new location and did NOT know our landlords' chickens who free range our property were infested. Now we are battling it on our babies. The bathing is Beyond necessary. Having a container in a smaller coup at least, helps. Adding DE is even suggested by our vets. Food grade.

[@lovelife4111]

Maybe mix a little diatomaceous earth in the dust bath you make.

[@RoseThistleArtworks]

I like the way you describe these chicken needs. Thank you for sharing what you've learned. I've heard that wood ash and diatomaceous earth mixed in with the sand that chickens take dust baths in, will help them with mite control, too. That may be why they like your garden area so much. When my chickens started flopping around, laying on their side, I thought they were dying! ha ha

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

Go with the flow. Best advice I have heard on the farm or homestead. Mother Nature knows what it is doing. If you are giving any animal what it needs to be in captivity, you will definitely know if they really are sick. Thank you.

[@PANTTERA1959]

I love watching dust baths,bird baths and bee pollinating.

[@tiogamountain2791]

PANTTERA1959 I love watching my girls dust bath! 🤗🤗😂🤣🤣😅 SO CUTE!!

[@BeckysHomestead]

Nature is beautiful!!! ☀️❤️☀️

[@ahmedzaki2681]

@@BeckysHomestead Yes sure. Nature is very beautiful but sometimes dangerous too😅.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Nice blurry background A roll shot 👍. I made a nice DE and sandy mix for them, but they prefer the native dirt. lol. Thanks for the video Becky.

[@scottsmith4111]

Hey Becky good video I enjoyed it I'm learning a lot from chickens from your videos here and I thank you very much for it because down the road when I do get my farm I'm going to need to know how to take care of chickens and raise them I never done it before

[@BeckysHomestead]

My website Beckyshomestead.com has tons of videos to help you be successful at it☀️❤️☀️

[@missmamtube]

Shalom! Thank you Becky for sharing. Blessings to you and yours!

[@BeckysHomestead]

Your welcome☀️❤️☀️

[@WheelieToasted]

About dust baths, chinchillas also do that. They have super dense fur and they do it to kind of dry out and stay clean, since you can't really give a chinchilla a bath. I assume it's the same idea with feathers, getting wet would only hinder their mobility. It's like dry shampoo for hair.

[@LisaN]

I like this video. I have cockatiels and they molt too and get those pin feathers. I see your molting chicken has a ton of pin feathers 😆 And your hair color is so beautiful! It looks natural and the color sets off your skin perfectly, and I love how it slightly fades to blondish at the end. You're always so cute and cheerful, but also really knowledgeable about things. I wish we were friends in real life! 💕🌸🐣

[@BeckysHomestead]

Oh, thank you so much☀️❤️☀️

[@sheilalozano3624]

I love your homestead especially the animals.

[@BeckysHomestead]

I love, love, love animals too☀️❤️☀️

[@CollegemomLynn]

Great video Becky! 🐓💚 Would love to see what you would feed your chickens completely off-grid (no store bought feed), if there were a national emergency or something.....to continue raising healthy birds! 😄

[@donnakuhl2419]

I have learned much from your site..thank you..still today, with all my subscribed sites..no one will... tell you how to get rid of roosters from a hen hatch..it seems to me a under world...how do i get rid of roosters...no one in town wants them for food or otherwise

[@cailin7203]

My chickens take a dust bath under a bush, so sometimes we see the bush moving but not the chickens, and it’s soooo funny!😂

[@mariemin946]

Haha! I bet it is , haven’t seen that yet 😄

[@wordswritteninred7171]

I was raised by my Grandma. My Great grandpa was alive until I was 11 yrs old. He had a chicken farm. But was retired by the time I came along. But alwayshad chickens. Also, I had an uncle with cerebral palsy. He had seizures. We called them "fits". Well, I will never forget, one day, when I was like 4 or 5 yrs old, I saw a chicken having a dust bath. It scared me to death! I ran in Great Grandpas house "SHE HAVING A FIT! SHES HAVING A FIT!" Everyone jumping up, thinking I was talking about my cousin! lol Imagine their RELIEF, and FRUSTRATION! when they discovered my cousin was just fine, and I was talking about one of the hens! lol I miss both my Great Grandpa and Grandma! They made my childhood magical! But I get to have chickens! Who remind me daily of all those wonderful memories!

[@aquastone4792]

all birds also love shallowth puddle water baths. put out a separate bird bath at ground level or a low fountain. It really helps their health as does a bit of barley in their feed

[@tammykillorn9910]

Would you recommend putting DE in the dust bath?

[@tracys.154]

Love you videos Becky!

[@davidbussiere9685]

always a great vid. thanks for sharing.

[@BeckysHomestead]

Your welcome☀️❤️☀️

[@argerinejordan4703]

Good morning Becky😀☕

[@tinathompson591]

ALWAYS a GREAT Video 👍 LOVE LOVE to watch them ALL Always learning more each time Thanks for sharing 😊😊😊😊

[@BeckysHomestead]

Your welcome☀️❤️☀️

[@blessedabundance6266]

I'm learning soooo much from you... I can't thank you enough !!! I have 24 chicks arriving sept 21-23😁 My question for you is would it be harmful to ad just a tiny bit if diamatatious earth(food grade) to the chicken bathtub 😁 THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO, I FIND YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR CHICKENS SOO SWEET AND CONTAGIOUS. I can't wait for my new little egg layer ladies😍

[@HamidKhan-ik5jt]

Good information. Love your program.

[@makinhomesteadingwithjohna5968]

Thank you so much for your chicken videos! We are hoping to get chickens this year so you have been so helpful.

[@tammyjones5186]

Thanks for the information.

[@davidfairchild9561]

OMG! That could have been a video of my girls dust bathing! They love it. One of them likes to keep her wings out and lie on her side in the sun! I add some diatomaceous earth to the dirt where they bathe.

[@monsterco.9568]

Would it be possible to do a video on some special dishes you make with all your eggs. Or maybe mention how you sell your eggs. Or if you ever go to a garden market. Maybe mix it up some. Love your videos and want to see more.

[@kimmerrick973]

Chicken craters 😂 Now I know what to call the ditches in my yard.

[@BeckysHomestead]

Hahaha☀️❤️☀️

[@jorgecanales798]

You can add diatomaceous earth on the spots they take a dust bath so they can get rid of outer parasites. Also you can use ash as their dust bath material and mix it with the DE

[@richieconnolly2874]

Just subscribed... Thanks for your knowledge n understanding of chickens 👍

[@chillsfarm4885]

Her videos are very good. I hope my farm videos come out like these. I have baby goats on the way very soon

[@kendude8089]

Chicken Craters In Space! ☺ Good morning Everyone

[@justme-uw6bz]

Your hens look great!

[@BeckysHomestead]

Thanks☀️❤️☀️

[@mrsgamer9218]

My chickens love dust baths. She likes it even more when i start digging XD she just flops down next to me and starts bathing. Silly girl

[@dougriley1800]

3rd weird thing that chickens do In a chicken house when they are babies , if you shine a flashlight all over them they do nothing but if you shine it across the ceiling they go berserk. My neighbor raises chickens for Pilgrims at about 17000 per house and he showed this to me while I was helping him work on the feeders and said they are born knowing about threats from above like hawks and such.

[@kendraolson9449]

It is also adorable that the roosters make sure the hens eat first and that funny "come hither" noise they make is hilarious🤣 or a fluffy momma hen with tons of babies poking out of their feathers.They dust to also cool off because chickens don't sweat!!! This lady is awesome 👌

[@taarnaandros7859]

They dust bathe to dislodge parasites. My chickens like to dust bathe in the bonfire pit, too. I’m convinced there is some property in ashes, especially hardwood ashes, that must act as a cleanser or insecticide that they are instinctively drawn to.

[@aliciaclampet8088]

Dust baths help kill or keep mites off of them. Chicken mites are awful and can get on you. They burrow under the skin and it very itchy. Don’t worry if you get the mites they will die in about 24 hours, but for chicken they can make them sick. So yes let them dust away.

[@nancyannenesteriak-gentili3540]

You look younger all the time! You can tell that you take care of yourself.❤️

[@BeckysHomestead]

Thank you☀️❤️☀️

[@porschamarie1446]

Yes she looks great!!

[@bookmusic]

I love Becky, you looking perfect!

[@lesliejacobs1439]

Great post..thanks!

[@MrKErocks]

I "powder" everyday! I may be part chicken!

[@roostershooter76]

I made a dust bath out of an huge cat liter box, and put sand, DE, and wood ash in there. After a few days I discovered that my chickens were eating the mix instead of using it for a dust bath.

[@RascalKyng]

MAN, Becky is looking FINE these past few vids... watching since start..

[@of8400]

Crushing much?

[@mcpuma8487]

@@of8400 lol

[@whitewaves7788]

They are so cute when they dust bathe.

[@rigotinoco3034]

When my mom got some hens they were missing some feathers and was jealous of the first chicken now all chickens have pretty feather and jasper the rooster is close to finish.

[@firandcurly84]

Becky do you do visits to your homestead?

[@johnkirby4290]

Thanks for the info. ❤️

[@CCWaltonful]

That polkadot shirt is amazing on you!

[@BeckysHomestead]

Thank you☀️❤️☀️

[@lauradonofrioart]

Hi Becky, do you have any advice about chickens that don't lay eggs over winter? I live in the north east, in Connecticut, if this helps at all. My guess is they have less sun? I'd love your thoughts on this! Thanks!! Love your show!!

[@BeckysHomestead]

Go to my website Beckyshomestead.com then click Chickens. I made a video to help you with that☀️❤️☀️

[@caprisunsess1753]

For the dust bathing thing, you can see it in the video, but their feathers get super fluffy! My dad picked randomly what breeds to get so all of them are different ( I have three btw! ) and one of them, jhonny, is super fluffy! So when he fluffes his feathers up even more, he looks...honestly, kinda scary ngl ;-; we have a dust bathing thing for them but he just likes to do it on growing plants, flower pot, and... the rocks??? (How are they even doing that??? )

[@marilynrollo6278]

I'm very interested in your knowledge! TFS!

[@AromaDelightBeautyCareProducts]

Boy, I've learned a lot today about chickens! Great video for sure

[@kiarasrandomdays8883]

When chickens have a dirt bath it cleans them to a point but I still wash them about 1-2 times a fort night

[@FITZIEBLUE]

All birds do dust baths; cleans the feathers and gets rid of lice, etc..

[@gpymama]

That hen at 10 mins is a hot mess! Hahah! 😂❤️

[@CrazyWeatherDude]

Do yours lay eggs on the roof? One of mine layed on the roof for a long time without us knowing. One day a nice storm dispensed about 18 eggs out of the downspout. Needless to say, they now have their own enclosed run because of hawks and that.

[@TheVikingmaiden]

when our chickens are molting it takes 2-3 months to get back to 'normal'. Also Some of ours are loosing feathers in the middle of winter where we're having freezing weather. Is that normal, or are we doing something wrong?

[@BeckysHomestead]

Are you feeding them enough merat? Go to my website Beckyshomestead.com then click Chickens. I have made lots of videos to help you raise healthy beautiful chickens☀️❤️☀️

[@fabioberberi8599]

Quick question (please try to reply) Can brown hens go brody? If yes please some tips :) Thanks

[@johnkyoungmoonchang3691]

do you have to provide a heat lamp for moulting chicken

[@farmergirlofchickens8779]

Thanks for the information on molting. I always thought they picked the wrong time of year to undress. Now I know that's normal.

[@kendraolson9449]

Becky, u r awesome and I have a question...can u potty train a bantam chicken? My Cleo is 7 yrs old and I would like to keep her in the house more often.Any ideas??

[@farmergirlofchickens8779]

Kendra Olson you’re sweet. Good luck with your chicken. You replied under my molting comment. Maybe try again under just comments so Becky will see your comment.

[@aquastone4792]

the feathers fall out in pairs so each side is balanced. If they have access to clean water baths and dust baths, their molting is better

[@Rainbow_professionalism_dash]

Thanks for giving us amazing and useful content Becky! I have a question tho, do roosters molt too?

[@BeckysHomestead]

Yes, all birds molt☀️❤️☀️

[@Rainbow_professionalism_dash]

Becky's Homestead ok Thanks❤️🐓

[@sallyeblen7032]

how often do you change or add to the dust bath?

[@onlythebest8070]

I couldn’t stop laughing when you were talking about a whole bald chicken. I was imagining a chicken looking like one of those fur less cats 😂

[@Sassy2935]

You make me want to go get a homestead too. By the way how does one go about getting a homestead.

[@carlamaldonado7921]

Go back to the beginning of her videos. She tells you how to go about a lot of things including homesteading. Hope this helps. She is GREAT

[@BeckysHomestead]

If you go to my website Beckyshomestead.com I have made lots of videos to help you out☀️❤️☀️

[@Maheshrpsharma]

when features falls it's also mean they are ready to be eaten.

[@chiken9193]

My hen is just chillin

[@laragreene8328]

I've heard they do it to get rid of mites and bugs on them.

[@NinasHere4U]

So glad I found your channel 🐥🐤👍

[@happyday9641]

do you have to clean them when they do there dust bath?

[@patrickkelly9721]

For the same reason our horses roll, particularly after a bath. (One reason) they roll is to hide their scent from predators.

[@ronelleice5336]

How often do they molt

[@samanthafoxxx]

Do they mult every year?

[@Voiceofworld23]

Very nice 👍🏻

[@rebeccagraves2878]

Jack Sisco. I have thought about using tires but does it turn to a mud bath in rain or do snakes ever get in the tires?

[@jeffg3895]

Dang, you look great! I haven’t watch you videos in a while. Nice work!

[@BeckysHomestead]

Thanks❤️💋

[@Anne-ud6pq]

Do you put DE in it for the bigs and stuff?

[@EvanTomiko]

They are very curious

[@jclk06]

It cleans them and keeps them cool in the summer