Dirty chicken- clean or leave?

[SplendidDogFeet]

Didn't know where to post this question. It's definitely not an emergency. I just don't know if I should be doing something. I have a nine week old Jersey Giant girl who is covered in what I assume is dried pee/poo. Her feathers on one side of her neck and chest are disgusting and stuck together in spots. Am I supposed to clean her or leave it and they'll eventually groom her clean? They're already stressed from the heat and I don't want to make things worse either way. Pics don't do it justice. It's a large area and feels matted is the only way I can describe. I didn't see any signs of injury or oddness on the skin.

 

[LaFleche]

You can clean her gently using a wet wash cloth.

 

[Loving my girls]

At her ages I would definitely introduce her to the sink.

Johnson’s baby shampoo with warm water will do the job. Be careful how much shampoo you use or you will spend two days trying to get the suds out.

Start by standing her in the sink of lukewarm water, hold your hand on her back with a little pressure. She will eventually be laying in it happily.

All my girls get an introduction to the sink at some point in their youth. They, mostly, seem to enjoy it after a bit of stressing. Tilly especially loves it and virtually jumps in, lays back and opens her wings. Never known a hen like it.

Hope your girl does too,
Hugz

 

[SplendidDogFeet]

At her ages I would definitely introduce her to the sink.

Johnson’s baby shampoo with warm water will do the job. Be careful how much shampoo you use or you will spend two days trying to get the suds out.

Start by standing her in the sink of lukewarm water, hold your hand on her back with a little pressure. She will eventually be laying in it happily.

All my girls get an introduction to the sink at some point in their youth. They, mostly, seem to enjoy it after a bit of stressing. Tilly especially loves it and virtually jumps in, lays back and opens her wings. Never known a hen like it.

Hope your girl does too,
Hugz

I did wash her and, for the most part, she didn't seem to mind. She ended up way wetter than I wanted because she had a little tantrum toward the end and dunked her whole head under the spray when I was rinsing. She sat on my lap in a towel while I wiped excess water off and I wondered if anyone would be weird about how wet she was, but it's so hot out that she was dry within minutes. She sure is a lot shinier and smells better than the rest of the birds now! Thank you for the advice.

 

[Loving my girls]

I did wash her and, for the most part, she didn't seem to mind. She ended up way wetter than I wanted because she had a little tantrum toward the end and dunked her whole head under the spray when I was rinsing. She sat on my lap in a towel while I wiped excess water off and I wondered if anyone would be weird about how wet she was, but it's so hot out that she was dry within minutes. She sure is a lot shinier and smells better than the rest of the birds now! Thank you for the advice.

You’re quite welcome, glad to of helped and thank you for letting me know how it went,
Hugz