How to clean a dirty chicken?

[NumbleNuggets]

I have two beautiful bantams who free-range in my backyard. This year they found my tomato plants and started jumping up to peck tomatoes, which burst all over their faces and created very dirty little chickens over time. A side-effect is that it looks like dried blood, which is disconcerting in and of itself. I cannot find anything that tells me how to safely clean a chicken; anybody have any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Judy]

Since it's near the eyes, I would dab them with a washrag and clear water only, to try to soak off what I could. I would not worry about getting every speck.

Or I might just leave them alone and let time take care of it.

I usually pick tomatoes when they get their first blush of pink or red as it reduces the bug damage, and let them ripen on the counter.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

There's a thread on washing Silkies- I plan to do this sort of thing on all my dirty birds eventually! They love baths.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=99105

 

[LuvMyPeeps7]

Quote:
My mom used to use buttermilk on hers, especially if they are white!

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

I have two white EE's...you should see their beards and muffs after eating watermelon. Gee Whizz!