There are some members of the smallholding who get to enjoy the sunshine and loll about enjoying themselves. When I look at our chickens I think of the poor beggars who aren't so lucky and spend their short lives in a battery egg farm, stuck in small cages and slaughtered after only one year of laying. Did you know each battery hen lives in a confined space the size of an A4 sheet of paper, they can't even outstretch their wings. You can read more about how hens are treated at Compassion in World Farming, a site I have been reading a lot lately. When you've been there, you'll need cheering up, so click below to see our free ranging chickens taking a dust bath with the rooster! Our soil is clay, and so the dust is ideal in that the particles are small enough to vandalise the breathing apparatus of lice etc. They like getting dry dust amongst their feathers for lice management, and also, I suspect ... because its damn good fun. I may just try it one day!
How's the tunnel coming along? We want pictures!
Posted by: hedgewizard | May 26, 2007 at 10:48 PM
When we had chinchillas for pets we learned that they bathed by rolling around in volcanic ash. We loved to watch them do it so we put the box of ash into their cage every single day. They were, undoubtedly, the cleanest chinchillas on the planet.
Posted by: Vallen Queen | May 29, 2007 at 05:18 PM
It certainly gladdens the heart to see these abused creatures behaving the way nature intended. Our ex batteries love a dust bath, any of your UK readers interested in helping the battery hens can find out more at www.thehenshouse.co.uk (sorry shamless plug for charity there, but I'm sure you won't mind.)
Posted by: carolyn | May 29, 2007 at 05:33 PM
I love to watch our free-range girls enjoy the sunshine and dust bathe. They emerge from their coop in the morning and, after snarfing down the kitchen scraps I bring them, stretch in the sun. Life is good.
Posted by: debra | May 31, 2007 at 03:37 PM
Hello, I just happened upon your blog today. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for spreading the word about how factory farm animals are treated! I'm a California girl and unfortunately America started these factory farms and it is just deplorable. I have become a vegatarian largely bc I don't want any part of supporting such horrible practices. So thank you thank you thank you! for spreading the word! Education is key! Sincerely, Cece
Posted by: cece marie | June 04, 2007 at 06:50 PM