The Joy of Dirt

How to keep your feathers in good fettle! It's surprising how quickly they fluff up again - and how clean they look afterwards!

I've finished my grass. Can I have yours?

Grubby chickens!

How they love a good flap in the dirt! You can see the remains of another wallow hole by the damson tree, and there's yet another closer to the camera. Their lovely under-feathers are coated in soil and look grey and gritty instead of white and fluffy. Still, they did exactly the same yesterday, accompanied by that noise half way between a cat's purr and a frog's croak, that seems to indicate chicken bliss! They shake their feathers until the grit shakes out and they become lovely and pristine again. I'd rather have a bath!

A chicken's life!

Grass? What grass? Last year this area was the rank and overgrow part of the mini-meadow. It didn't take the chickens long to trash it! Considering that it has been 'resting' for a couple or three months, it still looks devastated. They don't seem to mind though. It's another scratching experience.

After a good rummage through the dirt and gravel, the chickens went back to their run for a good stoke up with pellets. Then it seemed like a good idea to have a lie down and digest them! Three managed to get into the fish box which is sunk down so the rim is just above chippings-level. The other is snuggled up close by. I've got to get the tea ready now. They have staff!