Bathing chickens, can or should you?

[youngwagon]

Okay, now this may seem as a dumb question but,,,,,,Can you give a chicken a bath, or should you for that matter? 2 of my girls are covered in mud (dang rain) and look absolutely disgusting. Is it safe to give them a bath? Any particular type of shampoo?

 

[WallTenters]

Yes you can. Best to use a very plain, non-scented soap (like Castile soap) if available, or even just water and apple cider vinegar rinse then a second water rinse. There are tons of videos and stuff online for bathing chickens. Most of them actually like it

 

[BeccaSmith]

Would bathing also help with problems such as mites? And you say the chickens actually like it...so they will actually hold still? Do you dry them some how, like washing a cat? And is it more or less difficult then washing a cat? Sorry for all the questions! I'll have to look for some of the videos.....I've gotta see this!

 

[DaughterOfEve]

I don't see much point in bathing my birds unless they are going to a show. I suppose people who keep house chickens may bath their birds more. Use a mild soap and be sure to rinse well. If it is chilly where you are and the bird is outside, make sure it is completely dry before returning to the outdoors. Good luck.

 

[youngwagon]

Thank you for the advice everyone! No show, just can't stand looking at them with large smears of mud on them. They found a nice muddy puddle this afternoon and had a fun filled time I guess. Guess kids are not the only ones who like mud pies, lol

 

[AinaWGSD]

Yes, you can bathe a chicken. Should you for the situation you're talking about? Meh...

Personally I wouldn't. The mud will dry in a few hours (at most) and they'll preen it off themselves. Unless they're white, you probably won't even be able to tell that they were mud bathing. Even if they are white, you'd probably be amazed at how clean they look once the mud dries and falls off.

 

[cathunter10]

Here in New Mexico I perpusly run there water over so that my birds can get in the mud it helps to keep there feathers from becoming dry and brittle.
Bill