feel silly asking - bathing chickens

[Sunkhaze Farm]

I think I have seen where some people, who show chickens, give there chickens baths. If this is true how and with what? I am cleaning out the coop, redoing my nest boxes and roosts so I thought I would give them all a freshen up! Thoughts, opinions and ideas please

 

[Caribear]

I just gave my silkie and my 4 coturnix quail a bath yesterday. I have to say that the quail did not appreciate it much, but they were decidedly stinky and we are keeping them in the house until I get my electric fence set up. A family of raccoons (aka satan's furry minions) got a hold of two of my birds through the wire, and it was not pretty. So they are staying in a large dog kennel in the house until I get my fence charger up.

I used a small tub and dawn dish soap. My silkie actually seemed to enjoy it, she snuggled down and got comfortable while I washed her feathers. Since it was pretty warm I just towel dried them and put them back in the cage, and they were fine. And might I add, I haven't seen many things funnier than a wet silkie! I wish I had gotten a picture!

My suggestions would be - get your supplies ready before hand, and get someone to help you just in case your birds don't appreciate your efforts. Have plenty of towels handy, have a cup to help you rinse, and a toothbrush or small pair of scissors for brushing/clipping out any stubborn matted dirt. Some people blow-dry their birds afterwards, but if it's warm and not windy I don't think it's completely necessary.

Good luck!

 

[Sunkhaze Farm]

Thank you! I knew I had read that others had bathed there birds - I have a flock of 20 so I better get plenty of supplies ready! I'll wait for a warm day and plan to get wet

 

[dreamcatcherarabians]

I bring mine in if I see they have pasty butt or get exceptionally muddy. At first they squawk and think you're getting ready to boil them but after they get in the warm water they settle right down. I use Dawn soap and lather them up good and then rinse thoroughly. Then I wrap them in a nice big fluffy towel and sit down and snuggle for a bit, they usually fall asleep. If it's cool or they aren't totally dry before I'm ready to put them outside, I will blow dry them. They seem to like that, the warm air blowing in their feathers seems to be calming to them. Crazy huh?!!!! I first read about it all on here and thought, "NO way are these chickens going to like being bathed." and then I tried it and found out they really do. It was quite a surprise to me.