Smoke has reminded me of Cinnamon lately in that she has taken to digging. I think it may be because I had dug the run over a few days ago, while it was dry, but after a long wet spell.
This means that the soil is perfect for digging as it isn’t wet but is still damp underneath. Smoke has two favourite spots for digging and she digs really deep holes.
At midday I cleaned up the run and filled in her holes. After lunch when I checked on the girls Smoke was digging her hole back again.
This seems to be Smoke’s thing at the moment. It is quite amusing to see.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
I have Rhode Island Reds and True Whiting Blues. They have done the same thing! Makes a big mess. Is there a way to stop it? I am afraid also that they will dig they way out eventually!
I doubt you could stop hens digging. It’s not a problem for me as my run is fortified with chicken wire down a foot then a layer of roof tiles in front of that vertically then another layer horizontally and either concrete path on the outside or a double layer of bricks. It’s dig proof inside and out. It’s big enough for any mess to be inside the run so I am happy to let them enjoy digging.
She looks as though she is enjoying life.
I love to seem them dig. They look industrious and happy while digging away.
I find that I’m frequently sweeping soil off the path adjacent to the run!
I have been lucky that Smoke’s favourite digging spot is between two sections of the run so I have no mess to deal with. I have in the past had to sweep the path outside the run though so I know what you mean.