New Chicki Mama,

[Chicki Chicki]

I want to clean my Chickies bum, can I use or shall I use puppy shampoo, or baby shampoo, I did read up on it, And watched a bunch of videos, I’m pretty confident that I can clean her bum, she is sweet and I know she will allow me to do so, I just don’t want to use anything to hurt her, she is my first Chicki I’ve ever experienced. And I have to say she is sweet and lovely. Also she has been cleaning herself a lot does that mean she may have mites or fleas or things like that? Another question, do I need to have a vet for my chicken, do chickens need immunizations?

 

[The-White-Elephant]

I want to clean my Chickies bum, can I use or shall I use puppy shampoo, or baby shampoo, I did read up on it, And watched a bunch of videos, I’m pretty confident that I can clean her bum, she is sweet and I know she will allow me to do so, I just don’t want to use anything to hurt her, she is my first Chicki I’ve ever experienced. And I have to say she is sweet and lovely. Also she has been cleaning herself a lot does that mean she may have mites or fleas or things like that? Another question, do I need to have a vet for my chicken, do chickens need immunizations?

For her bum, just use a damp cloth

 

[Chicki Chicki]

For her bum, just use a damp cloth

She has dingle berries

 

[rosemarythyme]

As long as she's not a show bird it's easier and longer lasting to trim off the poopy feathers.

If you think she might have mites it's best to check her thoroughly for them: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

As far as vet care, that's up to you. Many of us take care of medical needs at home. There are very few actual poultry vets, though some exotics vets may be willing to treat chickens. Most vaccinations are done upon hatch as it's not cost effective to vaccinate a single bird at a time, and if birds have already been exposed to whatever it is you want to vaccinate for, it's too late to do it and have it take effect.

 

[aart]

Also she has been cleaning herself a lot does that mean she may have mites or fleas or things like that?

How old is she, in weeks or months?
Is she the only chicken you have?
She may just be preening, but.....

Good to regularly check them over real well for mites and/or lice:

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[Chicki Chicki]

How old is she, in weeks or months?
Is she the only chicken you have?
She may just be preening, but.....

Good to regularly check them over real well for mites and/or lice:

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

Thank you, she is my only chicken, and my first. I would like eventually to have more pretty hens and a rooster. I just love her so much, I don’t want her to get sick. I think I’m doing a pretty good job!

 

[Chicki Chicki]

Thank you, she is my only chicken, and my first. I would like eventually to have more pretty hens and a rooster. I just love her so much, I don’t want her to get sick. I think I’m doing a pretty good job!

She’s only Approximately no more than nine months old. We got her from a family member they got a bunch of chicks in the summertime so I’m estimating around That time

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you, she is my only chicken, and my first. I would like eventually to have more pretty hens and a rooster.

Chickens are flock animals so she really could use some friends that speak "her language."