Can I take my dirty chicks a little bath?

[lyndatu]

Hi

I let my 2 brown chicks at the backyard for a short period of time so they can play. We accidentally sprinkled them with dust from the soil, they got dirty and lost their fluffiness. Can I give them a little bath? I was thinking of boiling some water, dipping some cotton balls into the hot water then dab it on the chick. Is this ok?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Katy]

I wouldn't.

 

[Wildsky]

They love getting dirt on them - I'd leave them it will wear off eventually!

 

[jimnjay]

Chickens even as chicks love to dust themselves. The dust will come off. I would leave them alone. They are just doing what come naturally. Getting them wet is not worth the rist. I have some little chicks that are dusting in the brooder in the spilled food.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

I think if you get them wet, even with a cotton ball, it will just turn the soil to mud, and that's a worse problem. The dirt will probably fall off with a few good full shakes of the feathers.

 

[SillyChick]

No need to give them a little cotton bath!

I accidentally dropped a chick on a pile of soil(sorry!) and she rolled around to get up. She got dirty and lost her fluff, but 1 day later she's clean again. Don't worry!

 

[earthnut]

Getting them wet might chill them. Their fluff is what keeps them warm, dirty or no. Maybe give them some white sand to play in?