Chicken Bath?

[equinehugger3]

I have three chicks that are almost 4 monthes now, and they are REALLY messy, of course.

When I give them a bath [all I do is put them in a small tub with luke-warmish water- they can touch, don't worry!- and just kinda wet them down then towel them off], should I use any type of soap or something else to clean them more, or no? Sorry that I'm so stupid. I have never had chickens before this, and I've done my homework, but I'm clueless about this.

Thanx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[orionburn]

Soap is fine as long as it's something mild. We use Dreft when we wash our chickens before fair. I just cup them in my hand (get their legs inbetween my fingers) and dunk their butts and use my other hand to work in the soap underneath.

And your question isn't stupid. Three years ago I wouldn't have had a clue that people even washed their chickens.

 

[equinehugger3]

LOL, Thanks!

 

[elmo]

Washing is not the best thing for a chicken's feathers. Unless you're taking them to a show, or they got a cecal poop on them from above, I wouldn't do it. Dust bathing and preening are the way chickens tend to their feathers.

 

[atimme]

When I wash birds before a show I use Ivory Soap for the washing machine, the flaked kind. It is very mild and doesn't hurt their eyes.

 

[swordgeek]

I've used original recipe Dawn dish washing liquid (the one with blueing), recommended by the 4-H'ers who show all the time. Just be sure not to get soap in their eyes. I've only ever washed them when they NEEDED it (too much poop on them, and once as practice). I just plopped a bird in the bath tub, on a towel, in a few inches of water, and scooped water on. Rubbed the soap in where needed, and rinsed well with the hose attachment in the shower. Don't be surprised if the poor thing falls asleep on you! We thought for sure we'd killed our rooster when he slowly sank into sleep while bathing - and again when I was blow-drying him. When the next bird did that, at least we knew she was alright.

 

[Elbridge2]

What a riot! They must love the warm water. I was wondering if I could use baby shampoo, because of the eyes stinging with other soaps?

Vicky H.

 

[Drover]

baby shampoo would probly be a great idea! It wouldn't strip the feathers of oil the way other soaps do. Its a good mild soap and would still get the bird good and clean. Plus, it smells pretty snazzy

 

[azygous]

You could also try children's bubble bath liquid. I use the no tears, Mr Bubble. It's great because it's so gentle I don't even bother to rinse.

 

[geekulus]

I have a dirty patch in my yard where my chickens dust bath, they all look pretty clean to me. They don't seem to stink either, although I've probably just gotten used to the smell.