How can I bathe my chickens?

[mmch618]

Hi, I have three 5 month old pullets who live outside in a coop with a run in my backyard. Its cold and there is alot of snow where I live. Latley I have noticed that my girls have started to look especially dirty. They dont like to go in the run because of the snow and now have taken to digging under the sand in the covered part of the run untill they get to the dirt and then they roll in it. Is there a way i can give them a bath or clean them up because all three are covered in dirt. Its cold so ill probably bring them inside if/when i do decide to give them a bath but iv never bathed a chicken before so I wasnt sure if there was a certain way to do it or what. Thanks!

 

[Percheron chick]

Rolling in the dirt is how chickens take a bath. Give them a large litter box of fluffy dirt and they'll take care of the rest. The only time to bathe your chickens is before a show.

 

[donrae]

I agree, give your birds a large pan of dry dirt (or even better, wood ashes!) in the coop where it's dry and they'll take care of all their hygiene needs. Chickens don't bathe in water. They also don't care if they're covered in dirt, it's how they keep parasites away.