Do I bathe my RIR?

[chibbixchicken]

My Rhode Island Red has a bad leg so she cannot perch to poop, therefore gets some build up on her butt. I was thinking about bathing her in epsom salt to break up the poop on her butt as I don’t want it to lead to infection, but at the same time, I don’t want to bathe her because I heard it’s not good to. She lives indoors so I’m not worried about her being cold.

 

[thecatumbrella]

If you can get some safety scissors with rounded edges, I'd start by just trimming her boofy butt. That can make a big difference for chickens with poo problems. Be very careful around the vent, and keep an eye out for blood feathers where new growth is coming in. You never want to cut those!

What's going on with her leg?

 

[chibbixchicken]

Also worth mentioning that she is a year old so she is fully feathered. I am uncomfortable clipping her bottom because I am afraid of accidentally cutting her if she squirms

 

[chibbixchicken]

If you can get some safety scissors with rounded edges, I'd start by just trimming her boofy butt. That can make a big difference for chickens with poo problems. Be very careful around the vent, and keep an eye out for blood feathers where new growth is coming in. You never want to cut those!

What's going on with her leg?

Her leg was dislocated in the egg before she hatched. The vet said she’s not in pain and since she’s fully grown and accomidated to it, that she’s fine to continue her little chicken life! (Hence why she lives indoors with me)

 

[thecatumbrella]

Also worth mentioning that she is a year old so she is fully feathered. I am uncomfortable clipping her bottom because I am afraid of accidentally cutting her if she squirms

Do you have someone that can hold her while you work? If you use safety scissors and hold them parallel to her bottom (so not pointed at her behind), the risk is pretty minimal.

 

[chibbixchicken]

Do you have someone that can hold her while you work? If you use safety scissors and hold them parallel to her bottom (so not pointed at her behind), the risk is pretty minimal.

I certainly can ask my partner to assist in holding her for me! She’s pretty good at staying still when I want her to (such as clipping her nails if they get too long, etc) She’s a very good girl! I just get nervous because I love her so much! Thank you for your suggestion! <3

 

[tlcmurphy]

Do you have someone that can hold her while you work? If you use safety scissors and hold them parallel to her bottom (so not pointed at her behind), the risk is pretty minimal.

Agreed, and I don’t even use the safety scissors (bad Mom). I have to clip Orpington butts at least twice a year or they get really nasty. Even then we still have to have spa days, which they hate…

 

[chibbixchicken]

Agreed, and I don’t even use the safety scissors (bad Mom). I have to clip Orpington butts at least twice a year or they get really nasty. Even then we still have to have spa days, which they hate…

How often is it safe to have a spa day? I don’t want to strip her of her natural oils lol

 

[thecatumbrella]

Agreed, and I don’t even use the safety scissors (bad Mom). I have to clip Orpington butts at least twice a year or they get really nasty. Even then we still have to have spa days, which they hate…

Every time I see a "spa day" post on IG with a chicken, I think these poor birds must be drugged. Mine can't tolerate a centimeter of warm water on the bottoms of their feet, nevermind a full dunking with bath bombs.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Every time I see a "spa day" post on IG with a chicken, I think these poor birds must be drugged. Mine can't tolerate a centimeter of warm water on the bottoms of their feet, nevermind a full dunking with bath bombs.

I spent the weekend with a prolapsed chicken (she’ll be fine). The amount of screaming and chicken cussing with twice daily soaks was over the top. We are both exhausted now

There will be times every chicken needs to be bathed, but good lord they do NOT like it!