Bathing baby chicks?

[cbader]

I was wondering how old do chicks need to be before bathing them? And what do you use, baby shampoo?

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Just curious, why do you need to bathe them?

If they are a little dirty, can't you just get a warm wet rag and wipe them down? Never heard of bathing chicks.

 

[SilverStar]

I personaly would not bathe baby chicks. I do bathe my older ones(6 months +) but only if really needed. I use johnsons baby shampoo, ivory shampoo, or Aveno shampoo.

 

[cbader]

Some of them are crusty. They feel dry, but look wet, and when you feel them its hard and crusty feeling. I guess it is after birth goop.

 

[gritsar]

Provide them with something to take a dustbath in and let them clean themselves.
IMO, chicks getting chilled after a bath will kill them quicker than a little dirt will.
They are programmed to dustbath from birth, so all you have to do is provide the a pan of sand, clean dirt (an oxymoron, I know) or shavings and they will handle the bathing part.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

If you put a pan of sand or dry dirt your chicks will have a blast dust bathing in it & kicking it all around. That should get the goobers out of their fluff too. I wouldn't attempt cleaning them off with soap & water. Another thing you could try is gently rubbing them with a dry soft brush, a toothbrush or makeup brush.

 

[cbader]

Thanks so much, going to get a pan of sand.

 

[walkswithdog]

In the case of pasted over butts you can soak the appropriate end

to gently get the poo off and then blow dry on low. Never let a young bird dry by itself it cools off too quickly. Keep the blow drier moving slightly to avoid hot spots.

Ditto the advice that dust bathing is safer for most things.

 

[krawphish]

what about using parakeet grit for a dust bath?

 

[walkswithdog]

Not really fine enough for a proper dusting.