Bathing Chickens

[Ldlutzow]

What kind of soap do I use to bathe my chickens?

 

[Crazy Chicken Helen]

I use baby shampoo, for mucky fluffy butts and grubby polish head feathers!

Look at the state my Alice gets in!

All clean again!

 

[Nova Scotia Homestead]

Wildlife rescue experts use the dish soap 'Dawn' to wash birds and chicks. It's safe for them. And it works very well ........

 

[Nova Scotia Homestead]

And....it's affordable

 

[dawg53]

Wildlife rescue experts use the dish soap 'Dawn' to wash birds and chicks. It's safe for them. And it works very well ........

Ditto. It kills 90% mite infestations also. Gotta rinse the bird well in warm water afterwards and pat dry as best as you can with a towel.

 

[getaclue]

Chickens tend to enjoy their spa day. If they're a bit flighty at first, they quickly settle down.

I use 3 small - medium totes, and fill with warm water (not too warm) that the bird can sit down, and the water is half way up the bird, but doesn't go over it's back. Add a bit of Dawn. Blue is best. Make it like you would for washing dishes. In the second tote, add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the water. The third is to be plain water. Now set your bird in the tote, keeping your hand on it's back. In a minute, it will settle down. Most of mine will lay down in the water on their own, but I have a couple that after they settle down, I give a gentle push on their back, then they lay down. Let it soak in the soapy water for about 10 minutes, then begin rubbing the feathers in the soiled areas. Clean everywhere, but the head, and be careful NOT to get soap into it's eyes. When it's clean, lift the bird, and transfer it to the second tote, with the vinegar water. Rinse all over, except the head, with the vinegar water. You can use a plastic cup to help. Now, move it into the plain rinse water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. Wrap in a towel.

Now that it's calm, and wrapped in a towel, get a washrag, and plain warm water, to clean it's head, and face area. Be gentle. Now, move to the feet. This is a great time to trim spurs, and toenails.

Make sure they're dry before putting them back out. Careful, if you use a blow dryer, so as not to overheat the bird.

 

[Shadrach]

No, they are not show birds but one has matted poop on her butt so it needs to be removed to see if there is anything else going on.

Chickens do not bath in water. I know people do wash their chickens with soap and water but it isn't good for their feathers or skin. Chickens do not sweat and therefor do not produce saline at their skin. What they do produce is oil and dust bathing is to soak up this oil when it gets old and dirty.
You can clean your birds rear end with your fingers. Sure, it isn't the greatest entertainment but it works. Some of the lumps are quite hard to break and the poop around the feather quill ends can be scrapped off with your finger nails. Wash your hands.

 

[Ldlutzow]

Chickens do not bath in water. I know people do wash their chickens with soap and water but it isn't good for their feathers or skin. Chickens do not sweat and therefor do not produce saline at their skin. What they do produce is oil and dust bathing is to soak up this oil when it gets old and dirty.
You can clean your birds rear end with your fingers. Sure, it isn't the greatest entertainment but it works. Some of the lumps are quite hard to break and the poop around the feather quill ends can be scrapped off with your finger nails. Wash your hands.

Oh joy!

 

[dawg53]

No, they are not show birds but one has matted poop on her butt so it needs to be removed to see if there is anything else going on.

In the summertime, I use the garden hose with attached spray nozzle to spray their rear end. Works great. Release them and they'll dry off on their own. Or you can pat dry using an old towel and release them.

 

[dawg53]

Ohhhh. Gotcha. I use scissors and just cut the feathers like cutting matted fur from a cat.

You gotta be careful with the scissors. Dont trim back too much. If you do, urates in feces will scald the skin causing redness and irritation. The fluff and feathers actually help prevent scald.