Quote:
Oh!
fun! Are you guys doing the county fair?
Seramas are SUPER easy and fast, they stay pretty clean.. but if you are also doing any of your Fancy Fluffy Chickens:
I just bathe mine in the kitchen sink.. I use dawn dish soap if they are especially mucky then follow with a whitening horse shampoo-- or a brightening one, whichever.. I use a toothbrush on their legs and toes. Blot the excess water off and blow dry.
I usually put something like Vet Rx on their combs/wattles/legs. If they are black or dark feathered you can also lightly spray them with Shine stuff when you coop in--DON'T do whites though, it just makes them dirty--I use my Shiny Happy People.
or something similar. I think people use that Pink spray too. (isn't that what it's called??)
To clip nails, use either fingernail clippers or the ones made for rats/cats that are scissor-like. And you will probably quick one or two..so be ready with something to stop the bleeding (cornstarch or flour or whatever). If their beaks need trimming up..(which on free range chickens is pretty rare) I use a finger nail file.
I also check them for mites and stuff and treat them as needed. You can use Adams flea/tick spray, a quick spray under each wing. If you know how to use frontline on them, you can do that instead. (Frontline is also available in a spray now)
IN MY SHOW KIT: I keep~~wipes, Vet Rx, frontline, ivomec, some other emergency medical stuff(antibiotics, vit's,etc), a fingernail file and nail clippers, a soft brush for fluffing, a flea comb for pin feathers--especially for crested birds-- a blow drier, Shiny stuff, paper towels, liquid vit's (poly-vi-sorb) or Oxine for their drinking waters. umm.. oh, that horse spray no rinse shampoo--Cowboy's Helper? Cowgirl's Helper.. something like that. You can use it on vent area if it gets messy. or I use it to wash my hands too. I also keep a gel hand sanitizer in my bucket too. ummm, I think that's it for me anyway lol! I also keep oxine in a spritzer because as I am cooping out I spritz their feets and also give them a spritz to their face (which they love) and I repeat that again when I get home and put them away. Oxine is pretty readily available online and if you don't have it, I recommend getting it. Just google it, you'll find it at several different places. It is the Simple Green of my chicken yard, I use it all the time.
although shows/fairs provide their own cups and food, I usually try to remember to bring some of my own 'just in case'. I also bring their snack for treats.
Hope that helps!
Have fun, and I want to see pics!!!