Hello, I have been doing a lot of research on chickens. I never had birds as a pet and currently have two shelter cats. I have learned a lot and have decided to adopt three ISA Browns ex-battery caged hens in July. I am having a chicken tractor built for me from a guy in San Diego. Found Bird vet in my area and learning chickens come with expensive stuff! So what I was wondering as I noticed when I volunteered at a chicken adoption event recently they are pretty dirty. So how soon after can I give them a bath. Don't want to shock or traumatize them since they are already traumatized to begin with but don't want them starting their new life with dirty bottoms!
I'm not an expert on chicken baths, but this site has many wonderful articles about them. Glad you joined!
Hello, My experience with chickens is minimal but My MIL gave us her flock when we moved to Hickory and we used to bathe the hens with baby shampoo when they got messy in the swamp free-ranging during the day, and were fighting off mites and over breeding spots on their backs from the roos.. I dont think its good for their feathers to bathe them too often, so you could do it immediately when you get them, if its absolutely necessary, then just let them be chickens and get dirty. Some dirt helps prevent fleas and mites from bothering them. Hope this helps Jen
Welcome to BYC. You might put " Ex-Battery hens" in the search box - it should pop up with posts from others who have rescued them. They would probably mention how they cleaned them up, treated for worms/mites/ etc. You are a very kind person to want to rescue some poor hens and give them the opportunity to live a real chicken life. I never knew they had chicken adoption events. What a great idea.
Hi Glad you could join the flock! I can't say I have ever had to bath any of my chickens with water. I have read though that some that show their birds do. Here is an article on dust baths for chickens https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/dust-baths-what-they-are-and-why-they-are-important If they have dirty bottoms washing that area woukd be ok for them it will make them feel so much better. Here is an article on rescue hens https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/so-you-want-to-rescue-a-chicken-now-what Wishing you the very best of luck and hope you enjoy BYC
Hello, and welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined our community. In my experience, washing isn't usually a very stressful occurence for the bird. In fact, some birds almost seem to like it. I would give the rescue hens a few days or rest and then think about bathing them.
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help. Washing chickens is stressful, yes, but sometimes it just needs to happen. I would see what they can get off and how clean they can get with a dirt bath or two first.
