Stinky chicks

[kickinchicken]

I just got my 8 pullets and they are quite stinky. There were about 30 chicks in one large brooder. Can I give them an actual bath? I have already rinsed off the Sultans as well as the feet of the cochins and brahmas, but I want to give them a god cleaning. Suggestions on a bird shampoo would be great. They are about 4 weeks old.

 

[bantybev]

What kind of flooring are you using? Mine are on pine shavings and my d'Uccles feather feet stay clean. They preen and clean their own feathers. If they were dirty when you got them they may adjust and clean their own feathers as time goes by if kept in dry shavings.
Be careful about chills if bathing them at 4 weeks old. Some people use hair dryers to dry them as quickly as possible. I have heard of others bathing them in baby shampoo and "blowing" them dry in a warm, draft free room.

 

[ranchhand]

Hmmm..... it's just me, but I wouldn't risk chilling a 4 week old. You have eight? I'd say make sure the brooder has wood chips and it's kept very clean. Within a few days they should clean themselves quite a bit.

Good luck with them, it sounds like you rescued some chicks from a pretty bad situation!

ETA,

! And after them coming from a nasty environment, I would definitely have them on medicated chick starter.

 

[kickinchicken]

I was kind of thinking to just wait it out. The brooder was just full of cute little chickies, about 30 of them so now that they are in their own little flock, they will probably clean themselves. I just wanted to see if this was too early for a bath. The all seem so happy. I am just smitten with chickens!

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Just keep the brooder clean and I think your chicks will clean themselves. I wouldn't bathe a chicken unless it was an emergency.