Can you bathe a chicken??

Yes, although some chickens really, really hate baths. 

Fill up a utility sink or bath tub with about 6 to 8 inches (depending on how big she is, right to the bottom of her wings should be good) of warm water.  If you can stick your elbow in and it is comfortable it is good.  Put some dawn or baby shampoo in (I heard flea and tick shampoo works really good against lice and mites on them too) and get it really sudsy.  Slowly lower her in and hold her back (don't let the bubbles get in her eyes) and turn on the sprayer.  If you don't have a sprayer fill up a cup of soapy water and pour it on her back. Really work it in.  Then drain the soapy water and spray (or pour) her with some clean water.  Wrap her in a towel and dry her off as much as possible.  You could blow dry her (although some people say don't on close feathered breeds, I've never had a problem) or in this heat you could just put her in an empty, clean dog crate and let her air dry outside.

Good luck!
 

If you start them young, or just start a routine of doing it often they can grow to like it. 

You can use dog shampoo or special chicken shampoo from the internet. Its pretty easy and she should smell great after shes done. You can put her in the inside sink or somewhere you can make a baby bath for her. Make sure she has a nice warm place to dry off and then let her preen herself off after untill she is all fluffy and she should be good after.

 Good Luck 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siberria 

If you start them young, or just start a routine of doing it often they can grow to like it. 

 

You can use dog shampoo or special chicken shampoo from the internet. Its pretty easy and she should smell great after shes done. You can put her in the inside sink or somewhere you can make a baby bath for her. Make sure she has a nice warm place to dry off and then let her preen herself off after untill she is all fluffy and she should be good after.

 

 Good Luck 

I'm just starting with my first chicks - what age is a good age to start introducing chickens to having baths?

I start them as little as week old chicks, getting them used to feet washing and letting them walk around in a little bit of warm water every few days. It just depends on the chick, they usually don't mind getting washed when they are young. If you keep washing them a few times a month maybe just with warm water if they arn't dirty, they can be very relaxed with the water. Which is good if you have fluffy breeds, if you are holding them alot or just wan't to keep your chickens mite/flee free.  Just keep in mind to make sure the water isnt too warm and that you pat dry them with a hand towel and they are kept in a warm place after to finish drying :) 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siberria 

I start them as little as week old chicks, getting them used to feet washing and letting them walk around in a little bit of warm water every few days. It just depends on the chick, they usually don't mind getting washed when they are young. If you keep washing them a few times a month maybe just with warm water if they arn't dirty, they can be very relaxed with the water. Which is good if you have fluffy breeds, if you are holding them alot or just wan't to keep your chickens mite/flee free.  Just keep in mind to make sure the water isnt too warm and that you pat dry them with a hand towel and they are kept in a warm place after to finish drying :) 

Great info - Thanks! We have a 3 week old Mille Fleur Cochin, and I want to keep all that fluff clean. I'll start tomorrow

All my chickens love a nice warm bubble bath, except for my favorite hen Sophie.  Plus, she loves getting into the compost and spaghetti sauce
 

The only time I worry about giving a chicken a bath is if he/she has fleas,mites, or lice. Then I use this. Manna Pro Poultry Protector but you have to use the concentrate. I mix it in the water then put the chicken in.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/manna-pro-reg-poultry-protector-16-oz--1014698

I think Dawn works for mites and lice too.  I know it works really well for fleas on dogs.  It just strangles them under water, ewwww....

I'll try the Manna Pro on some of mine because I noticed some lice the other day.