Why do chickens dig holes in the dirt other than looking for insects?

Question

Why do chickens dig holes in the dirt other than looking for insects?

Answer 1

If you mean that you have seen them digging hollows, these are for using as dustbaths, which help to rid their skin of parasites.  They will tend to scrape these out where the soil is fine, and dry, and will keep returning to them.

Answer 2

In Mexico, they train figthing chickens to dig in grass packs to make those animals´s legs to go strong, they kill the opponent with knives in talons.

Answer 3

Some holes are used for dusting, and other times they will also rest in the holes if they are in a cool spot.  A couple of our more willful hens also appear to think digging holes to lay eggs is a great idea  >:[

Answer 4

they are also looking for the right sized pebbles for their gizzard... chickens can't digest grain... so they swallow pebbles.. these collect in their gizzard and are ground against the grains the chickens eat to break the shelll... leaving a paste the chicken can eat...

however the pebbles also break up and get passed.. so chickens are constantly eating small pebbles

Answer 5

Usually they dig to search for earthworms to eat.

Answer 6

Not all insects are on the surface. Worms are more often found below the surface. Turn over a rock or log and you will find a feast of bugs and worms not normally found on the surface.

Also chickens are one of the few birds large and strong enough to use this food gathering technique.