How do I clean my cochins feet feathers and is a common issue?

[ncCHICKS]

His feet are filthy. I try to keep him in the coop when it's wet out, but he loves the ground! I didn't know if bleach was too strong or not. He's white.

 

[Chicken Woman]

I have some dog shampoo that is for white dogs. It is tear free. I put some in a bowl with water and dip dip dip the feet. Dry quickly and keep in my laundry room for a few hours in a cage.

I would not use bleach !! Its pretty toxic and birds don't do well to inhale it.

 

[kinnip]

Would you bleach your hair?
My feathered shanks get pretty dirty, but they always clean it up themselves. If something looks particularly grody, I use water on a cloth.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

What kind of bedding is in your coop? I have show cochins and when it's hot weather, I keep them on pure white play sand in their coop. The last judge at the show asked what we kept them on because their feet and feathers were in such great condition. When it got cold last month, we just put a light layer of hay over the sands to help keep their feet off the cold sand.

I think the sand is easier to keep clean and keeps their feet dry.

 

[horsechick]

How do you clean poo out of the sand? or do you remove all sand and rebed?
What size are cooped areas?
Thanks

 

[Hooterville]

That sand is a great idea! Wonder if you could use one of those pooper scoopers for clumping cat litter to clean up messes?

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Yes, you can use the catbox scoopers. I use a plastic shavings fork with metal screen added. This is a good one.

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I put it at least 6 inches deep. It's very easy to keep clean because any poop that is the least bit loose has the liquid absorbed by the sand.

It doesn't HAVE to be the white play sand. You could use the yellow construction sand too.

 

[horsechick]

Do you ever have any trouble with lice?
There is some saying and sand and cats and lice, didn;t know if it happened with chickens as well.
Thanks

 

[ncCHICKS]

I used wheat straw and shavings mixed together. They like the straw, and the shavings are just great. When I keep him in the coop, he's fine, but its the run that gets them messy.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Do you show him? If not then I wouldn't do anything at all. They are going to get messy, that's just how it is. If you are going to show him use some baby shampoo, dog shampoo, or something similar. NO BLEACH! That is WAY to harsh, not only on the skin but the eyes and nose. That is a big no-no. Would you wash your dirty feet in bleach? I think not.