Washing Broilers for 4-H show?

[riftnreef]

Kids will be moving into the fair this coming Friday, and it's wash time I think. Will be taking two pens of three, and I wanted to give the birds a "pre-wash" early this week, followed by a thurough cleaning Thursday night. I have the basics, but have never washed broilers before...any useful tips/tricks/suggestions, especially for keeping them clean in the periods between would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

 

[HatchingFever]

My suggestion would be to put them on a wired cage after you baithe it worked for my silkies dont see why not for a broiler.

 

[riftnreef]

wow...not sure I have a wire cage strong enough to hold them...lol Between the 6 total birds it would be around 42lbs! I think your right though...I will have to get them out of the bedding...at least for the last washing.

 

[HatchingFever]

42 pounds ouch HEAVY Um if you look craigslist theres ually always a nice metel cage for free under the free section or a prrot cage get one of those and put them in it after there last was.

 

[Pathfinders]

I have written several articles on washing and prepping birds for shows, see them on my website here:

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Washing.html

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Prepping.html

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Showing.html

Good luck!

 

[Alicia G]

Well if they are so big then put them in a clean pen with LOTS of fresh dry shavings. Change the pen at least once a day and that should keep the dirt to a minimum. Good luck!

 

[Bnemeth]

Broilers are messy chickens! We always washed ours before fair, the day of show and also the sale day (buyers will pay more for a clean bird!). Wash like normal chickens but don't let them flap their wings - they can easily hit the side of a bucket and bruise them for show. Good luck!