How do I use Quic Silver on my white birds?

[ThePolishPrincess]

My white Silkie has a teensy bit of staining on her feet. I haven't tried to get it out, but if I show her in the up-coming season, I want to use the Quic Silver I've had in my basement for months, to give her that extra whitening. But how do I use it? In which tub do I put it in? How much do I mix? I don't want a blue bird.

 

[muddyhorse]

I put mine in the soap tub, depending on what size tub you use. I use a muck bucket the birds can't see over the top so they don't try to jump out. I use about a tablespoon in 4 inches of water. I take them out ans put them in a second bucket to sit for about two minutes. then I rinse I put vinegar in the rinse water.

 

[hoppy]

Quote:
quic silver, where do you get this?

 

[muddyhorse]

Quic silver is a horse shampoo

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Thank you, Muddyhorse! I think I'm going to estimate how much I'd need for the storage bins I use (as tubs) and try with one of my white layers before I do it on an actual showbird. The layers are really stained, so I could see how much this stuff actually works.

Thanks again.


Hoppy, I bought the stuff in TSC. It's a horse shampoo.

 

[hoppy]

I'm off to the feed store (does it work better then the dog whiting shampoos?)

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Never tried any other whiteners. I usually just use straight baby shampoo for all my birds. Judge suggested a whitener last year for whites in the future, so I thought it'd be nice if I looked like I was listening.

 

[Bo Garrett]

In the past I have exhibited white wyandottes and cochins and have used Quick Silver exclusively. It will turn them a brilliant silvery white but will not take out set in stains. I have always placed a nickle sized drop in the palm of my hand and lathered it up before putting on an already washed and rinsed bird. I will admit that the first few times I did this I had a slightly purple tinted wyandotte cockerel but not so much that it mattered; he won reserve show champion in 2005 in a show of about 900 birds.
You do not want to put this shampoo directly on the bird without first having lathered it in your hands till it is very sudsy, then apply it to the entire bird working it into the feathers really well. Keep the bird wet at all times and continue to work the lather into the feathers for about a minute or two then rinse very well, wrap the bird in a large dry towel for about 10 minutes then unwrap and place in a dry warm place until the bird is completely dry. I tend to place my birds in the sun as I think it helps the quick silver whitening process. If you have cochins then you'll need to address the blow drying part of the process as well.

Hope this helps,

Bo

 

[destiny_56085]

I've tried this on silkies in the past and it always seems to dye at least the feather shafts no matter how quick you lather and get it off them. I tried Quic Silver and the cheaper White N Brite with same results. Tide with bleach alternative or Cowboy Magic work very well!!! Hartz dog shampoo also has a whitening shampoo that is a very light lavendar color that also doesn't discolor the feathers.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
I wondered about the Tide with Bleach Alternative, but wasn't sure if it would harm them or not. My whites are really dirty since all the rain we have been getting. I knew I should have kept my Cowboy Magic when I sold all my horses.

Thanks for the tips Destiny.