how in the heck do you keep white chickens clean looking?

[Ridgerunner]

Different soils have different materials in them, depending on which rocks broke down to make that dirt. Some of those can contain stuff that act as dye, some don't. A dust bath may help a chicken get really clean and sparkly or it may dye the feathers. It's just another way we are all unique in what we deal with.

There have been a couple of threads recently about washing chickens. People that show chickens wash them before the shows. Dawn dishwashing liquid appears to the favorite cleanser. If it is important enough to you then you can try giving them a bath, it won't hurt them but if it is a true dye it may not help. Or you can just live with it.

Corrected, thanks to Aart

 

[Kay-SCL]

I have 3 white hens and they are definitely well housed. They free range during the day and they always look dirty as well. the Florida sand here is grayish with blackish and that is mostly the color of my chickens. I think they do shake off their dust bath, but either some stays on, or the sand is staining them. I guess it’s the price for having white chickens. Lol

 

[Brittranny]

We have very sandy DG dirt here & I keep sand in their coop / run along with hay. I also let them free range for at least 8 hours a day. My white chickens are always so clean & white! I have 2 light brahma & 2 white silkies. The silkies are 4 & 6 weeks old, the Brahmas are 20 weeks old & ive never bathed them.