Chickens can keep themselves clean by taking dust baths and practicing natural grooming.If your chicken is sick, injured, or a show bird, then you may need to bathe it yourself.Follow a 3-step process to bathe your bird.You can wash your chicken with soap, then dry them with a towel or blow dryer.Don't worry, washing a chicken is easy and it will come out clean.
Step 1: When it's necessary, wash your chicken.
Chickens can keep themselves clean by taking regular dust baths and grooming on their own.A bath is required for your bird if it has been caked on droppings or sprayed by a skunk.Cleaning out or assessing a wound on your bird are some of the reasons for bathing.It is possible that your bird may stop grooming themselves if they are sick.You will need to bathe them if this happens.As soon as possible, take your chicken to the vet.
Step 2: You can choose a station location.
This needs to be in an area with an average room temperature.If the flooring is tile, concrete, or another substance that is water resistant, it is the best.You need a large flat surface to work on.You could sit on the floor next to the bins.A wash rack outdoors would be a good place to put a mudroom.
Step 3: The washing station should be set up.
There are old towels on the floor.The entire washing area floor should be covered by these.Set the bins in the middle of the towels.Make sure you are comfortable rinsing the bins out, they can be metal or plastic.Don't use the same bins or towels for other things.Your chicken's feathers could be damaged by the chemical remnants left on them.If the bins are dirty before use, you should rinse them out.Put another towel away from the bins.This is a drying station for your chickens.
Step 4: Put the soap in one of the bins.
Dawn or Softsoap is a dish soap that is gentle on the skin.Before adding water, place the soap drops in the tub.suds and bubbles will be created when you add water to the soap.It is possible to add more or less soap depending on what you want the water to be.It may be difficult to rinse off your chicken if you make the water too soapy.Most wildlife rehabilitators and caretakers use Dawn dish detergent.The other bin has soap in it.
Step 5: Warm water is needed to fill both bins.
Put water in containers from the sink.The water levels should be a few inches off of the top.If you want to make sure the water is not too cold, you can use a hose to fill up the bins.Before putting a chicken in the water, make sure you test it with your hand.You should be able to submerge your hand and not experience a burning sensation.
Step 6: Take your chicken and hold them.
If you want to bathe the bird, go to your chicken's pen and catch it.The wings of the bird need to be pressed against the torso.Place your bird in the bath.
Step 7: Put your bird in the soapy water.
Place your bird in the soapy water tub with a hand on each side, holding its wings in place.Some birds will flap around, while others will simply relax into the water.Control your bird's wing if it starts to flap.Talking to your bird in a soft voice during the bath can help keep it calm.Your bird should be submerged in the water.
Step 8: Put your bird in the soap.
Put one hand on the bird's wings.You can rinse your bird with a small cup by using your other hand.Drop the cup into the soapy water and it will cover the bird's feathers.Rub soapy water on your bird with your hands.You may need to let your bird soak for a few minutes before starting the lathering process.This is also the time when you can use a small nail brush to clean your bird's nails.This is an important stage for a bird that has been bitten by a bumblefoot.Use small and controlled movements to keep your chicken calm.
Step 9: Add salt to the soapy bin to treat your bird.
If you are worried that your chicken has mites on it's skin, a salt bath may be able to kill off the mites.The salt should be put into the bath.For 5 minutes, submerge your bird in the water and keep its head above water.Continue the bath.Depending on what works best for your chickens, you can add more or less salt.To avoid irritation, keep the water away from the chicken's head and eyes.
Step 10: The clean water tub has chicken in it.
Move your bird to the second tub of water after it has been fully covered in soapy lather.As you lower your bird into the water, repeat the process of holding it firmly.Use a fresh cup to rinse your bird off.Continue until you can see no suds left on your bird's feathers.
Step 11: Wrap the bird in a towel.
The bird can be moved from the final soaking bin to the dry towel on the floor.Place another towel around the chicken.Press the towel against the chicken and move it around.This will help the towel absorb the water on your bird's feathers.Chickens can't regulate their body temperatures, so if you release your wet chicken into the pen they will catch cold.To avoid damaging your bird's feathers, keep your movements gentle.
Step 12: If you want to dry your birds, use a blow dryer on the lowest setting.
A towel won't get deep into the feathers.You can cradle your bird against your chest or towel-covered ground if you remove the towel.If you want to aim the blow dryer at your bird, put it on the lowest setting.Continue until your chicken is dry.The open end of your hair dryer should be at least 6 inches away from your bird.If you dry your chicken on a high setting it could burn its feathers.The bird may be frightened by the noise of a hair dryer.
Step 13: Take your chicken out of the pen.
When your bird's feathers feel dry, you can put them back in their pen.If you can, clean the pen before your birds leave to make sure they stay clean.
Step 14: It's a good idea to start washing a few days before the show.
It is best to wash birds 1-2 days prior to judging so that they can regain their natural oils.On the day of the judging, the feet and vent areas can be touched.White birds that are prepared for a show may be given a second rinse with a small amount of optical whitener.The success of the bird may be impacted by broken feathers.
Step 15: They should be kept clean until the show.
After washing the bird, put it in a clean pen with fresh bedding until the show to keep it clean.
Step 16: Take care of other things.
The show birds' nails and spurs should be neatly trimmed and filed down to the beginning of the blood filled quick, the lighter colored area in the underside of their toenails.The spurs can be done with rabbit nail clippers and a coarse nail file.The morning of the judging, a light coating of olive oil can be applied to the bird's face, comb, wattles, legs, and feet.Excess oil will attract dust and make these areas look dirty.Only a small amount of oil should be applied to bring out the natural beauty of the area.You can check out How to Show Chickens.
Step 17: A wipe is needed before the show.
Before placing the bird in its cage at the show, gently wipe it all over in the direction of its feather with a silk cloth.A scarf.It helps to align and smooth the feathers.The judge is more likely to favour the bird if it is healthier, happier, and more confident.Ensuring your bird's health, diet, and comfort around humans is maintained throughout show preparation.