Dirty Bird

[Disheygirl]

I have a dirty birdie. She’s an Austra White and about three months old. She lives with four other pullets her age and three pullets two months older. Their coop and run has sand, and sometimes they go out in the yard for grass in a covered pen (sometimes because I’m still building it and it’s not predator proof so they can’t be in it unless I’m out there).

She is a top-rooster and doesn’t get pooped on. I don’t see any bugs or eggs on she or the rest of the flock, and her vent is poop-free. My light Brahma (her BFF) is bright white, even though they do the exact same thing...they‘re attached at the wing.

She was bright white until she went to live outside...now she’s yellow. Is this normal? How is her BFF white and she looks dirty? Maybe I should have named her Linus.... Do I bathe her or just let her be a dirty bird?

 

[Blue Raptor]

I have a dirty birdie. She’s an Austra White and about three months old. She lives with four other pullets her age and three pullets two months older. Their coop and run has sand, and sometimes they go out in the yard for grass in a covered pen (sometimes because I’m still building it and it’s not predator proof so they can’t be in it unless I’m out there).

She is a top-rooster and doesn’t get pooped on. I don’t see any bugs or eggs on she or the rest of the flock, and her vent is poop-free. My light Brahma (her BFF) is bright white, even though they do the exact same thing...they‘re attached at the wing.

She was bright white until she went to live outside...now she’s yellow. Is this normal? How is her BFF white and she looks dirty? Maybe I should have named her Linus.... Do I bathe her or just let her be a dirty bird?

Being dirty helps get rid of bugs, dust bathing will do this. Don't wash your bird, white feathers can never stay white can they?

 

[JNC]

I agree, a bath is unecessary because she’ll go back to being dirty before you know it and as stated above dust bathing is very important because it keeps bugs away.

 

[Tonyroo]

Her white is tinted, looks like she was never pure white.

 

[JNC]

Her white is tinted, looks like she was never pure white.

Yes, could be from the sun. If they are in the sun enough It will make them have yellow tint.

 

[Disheygirl]

I have a dirty birdie. She’s an Austra White and about three months old. She lives with four other pullets her age and three pullets two months older. Their coop and run has sand, and sometimes they go out in the yard for grass in a covered pen (sometimes because I’m still building it and it’s not predator proof so they can’t be in it unless I’m out there).

She is a top-rooster and doesn’t get pooped on. I don’t see any bugs or eggs on she or the rest of the flock, and her vent is poop-free. My light Brahma (her BFF) is bright white, even though they do the exact same thing...they‘re attached at the wing.

She was bright white until she went to live outside...now she’s yellow. Is this normal? How is her BFF white and she looks dirty? Maybe I should have named her Linus.... Do I bathe her or just let her be a dirty bird?

 

[Blue Raptor]

I have a dirty birdie. She’s an Austra White and about three months old. She lives with four other pullets her age and three pullets two months older. Their coop and run has sand, and sometimes they go out in the yard for grass in a covered pen (sometimes because I’m still building it and it’s not predator proof so they can’t be in it unless I’m out there).

She is a top-rooster and doesn’t get pooped on. I don’t see any bugs or eggs on she or the rest of the flock, and her vent is poop-free. My light Brahma (her BFF) is bright white, even though they do the exact same thing...they‘re attached at the wing.

She was bright white until she went to live outside...now she’s yellow. Is this normal? How is her BFF white and she looks dirty? Maybe I should have named her Linus.... Do I bathe her or just let her be a dirty bird?
View attachment 2789638 View attachment 2789639

Being dirty helps get rid of bugs, dust bathing will do this. Don't wash your bird, white feathers can never stay white can they?

 

[Disheygirl]

I’m fine with her being dirty if there isn’t a problem with it...wasn’t sure if she didn’t know how to preen or something and needed help. She‘s kind of a dufus.

 

[Mrs. K]

I don't think she is dirty, that is not what dirty birds look like. I think that is the color of her feathers. Often times they change color slightly when they molt. The juvenile molt can change this. I do think this is the color she will be, maybe getting more yellowish as the years go on.

Mrs K

 

[Nicrom]

Hi! This also happened to my California Whites. As they got their adult feathers they had a tinge of yellow or very light brown. I too thought they were dirty at first! Here’s a picture it’s shows well around her face and neck: