Chicken Baths?

[Chickenhappy8708]

I'm giving away a rooster, and we've found a few people who may want him, he's 7 weeks, I would like him to have a bath, to put his best foot forward. I've heard of people giving show chickens baths, is it healthy and how do I do it?

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

It’s safe if done correctly, do not get the head and face wet as that could cause the bird to aspirate. You could use baby shampoo for the bird or dawn, but probably nothing fragrant (it smells weird mixed with wet chicken lol) I do it differently than most because we have an industrial sink with an attached hose but this may prove useful.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Thanks, will tearless puppy shampoo work?

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

I don’t see why not, definitely keep shampoo off of his face and out of his eyes though. Perhaps someone else on here could give you more insight about the puppy shampoo

 

[PioneerChicks]

As said above, rule number one is do not let their head go underwater. Even a few drops of water may drown a chicken.

You already got one reply, but I'll tell what I know. Get a bucket of water slightly on the warm side to bathe the chicken in. Just be gentle as if you are bathing a baby. Also like a baby, make sure the rooster is never left unsupervised in the water. I use baby shampoo. I don't know if puppy shampoo would work. Get the rooster wet, then add shampoo, then wash. Be careful not to bend or pull on the feathers too much. Afterwards, dry the chicken with first a towel, then a blow dryer (if possible). If you use a blow dryer be careful around the head. Dry from head to tail. Warning: chickens often poop while in or when they're getting out of the water! Set the rooster in the sun to finish drying.

If his feet are dirty you can scrub them with an old toothbrush.

Good luck!

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

And DONT let the bird go He’ll Try and squirm out of you’re grip if he can and that would result in you getting wet as well

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Thank you for the insight.

 

[Painted Calls]

I put the shampoo in a wash basin and use a hand sprayer to mix the shampoo (baby shampoo, puppy/kitten, Dawn dish soap, castile soap - all work well) into the water as it fills. I make it deep enough to go up to their lower chest.

I use a cup to pour the soapy water over their back/neck and an old toothbrush to get their head/beak/feet/feathers. When I'm done washing, I rinse and then dry.

I blow dry them while brushing with a baby brush. That is optional of course. Air drying works too. Just make sure you gently pat him dry with a towel so he's not dripping wet.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Ill be sure to do so!