quinlan Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Yesterday I noticed that Didier had mucky feathers underneath, felt a bit matted and muddy but just assumed it was where she had been sitting in a wet dust bath (bit of mud, bit of sand) and today Clara is the same. Is it anything to worry about? I wondered if it could be a sign of lice but can't see anything on either girl, lice or eggs. Do I need to bath them or will they clean themselves sooner or later? Thanks for any advice. Oh they are both laying but no egg from D today but as she has been laying less than a week I didn't think this was cause for concern ????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 im in the exact same situation - it was really strange its been the same weather and everything but i just came home today and 3 of them have dirty tummy feathers. im going to give them a bath tonight but is it a sign of something?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 I hope not... Have never given them a bath, is it fairly easy? Thay are friendly... Just been out though and D has laid her biggest egg, so I guess thats why its a bit late. Made my eyes water at 85g, normally 50g. Poor lady! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 You just wash them as you would any other animal - in a sink you can either rinse them off or put them in a bath of water, but they have to be thoroughly dry before you put them back outside - i use a towel and then a hairdryer, even then it is a LONG process, so make sure they arent scared of one before you use it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 You can give them a bit of a clean, but make sure that they are fully dry before putting them back outside. Have you checked for lice? A bad infestation causes the feathers to look matted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 I have looked at them both but can't see anything. I'm looking for clumps of eggs around the base of the feathers. Would i see the lice are they big enough? Also would the feathers get matted that quickly? D was fine in tne morning and mucky in the afternoon? Also if they were that infested would they still be laying? Thanks for your advice but I'm getting a bit worried now that I'm missing something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Given the vile weather, they have probably just been mud bathing. A serious infestation of lice would stop them from laying,. A lice infestation is quite apparent though, as Claret says, the feathers can look matted and rather oily, and there will be obvious clumps of eggs around the vent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 Phew, thanks Egluntine. I've been waiting for you!(in a not wierd way!) I really can't see anything on them, does just look like mud and sand but being the novice I am I was getting worried! Would I really need to bath them? Should I wait a couple of days and see how they look? I can't imagine they will like the hairdryer and don't know how else I could get them dry. (Also I have noticed them standing in the rain and I dont dry them then??) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I can understand wh you think that they wouldnt like it, but most of mine love it and my friendliest chick is terrified of it! you can probably just bathe their tummys with water and get out most of the mud before towelling them dry, but ive just looked out the window and its pouring with rain AGAIN, so it looks like this is going to be a regular problem -.- i hate winter!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I didn't mean to alarm you quinlin; it's just something to bear in mind if they have matted feathers. I am sure that it's just over zealous mud bathing on their part. Have you thought about giving them a dust bath under the shelter of the run? Mine have an old enamelled washbowl under the run cover and it's filled with soil and wood ash. It keeps lovely and dry and they make good use of it in this wet weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 I've just checked (again) and they are both alot cleaner, but still not lovely and soft!!! Will attempt a bath if I feel it necessary in the next couple of days, but as likeastar says this may be an ongoing thing! Claret, I'm really grateful of your advice (just hate creepy crawly things - am dreading the day my boys may come home with nits ) but am aware its all part of the fun! They do have a bustbath in their run but the mud we used was a bit wet (my dh told me it would dry out... why do I listen to him ) so I will be replacing that tomorrow!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 The thought of it makes me itch too! Use some dry soil or potting compost and sprinkle a little Diatom or red mite powder in it - that will help. It's always a good idea to check them regularly for creepy crawlies and treat as soon as you find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmat Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Howdy! How you getting on with them all??? Emma xx (it's Emma who you got the eglu from in case you didn't realise!). x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Mine have a dustbath in the walk in run. The compost (with Diatom) keeps nice and dry and they love rolling about in it. I wouldn't bother bathing mine at this time of year.....with 18 of them I'd never get them dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Mine are all a bit muddy. Pepper has a muddy tummy, Willow a muddy tail and Amber has a muddy head I am always surprised at how clean they stay considering their area is now a big soggy mud bath. There are some lucky chickens out there having their feet cleaned and being bathed and hairdried I can't help thinking mine would be rather shocked if I put them in the bath - do they really not mind??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I find that my white coloured girls always look grubby after they have been playing in the damp soil but they do preen themselves white (eventually). As its a bit cold and damp outside unless they are really caked I'd leave them for a bit and see what transpires. Unless of course they have some nasties on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I have bathed and hairdried all of mine at one time or another they are not fazed at all by the hairdrier noise they simply adore being dried some of them treat it like sunbathing lie down, with legs and wings akimbo with there eyes shut. If they have a dirty bottom I always bring them in for a bottom wash & dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I have bathed and hairdried all of mine at one time or another they are not fazed at all by the hairdrier noise they simply adore being dried some of them treat it like sunbathing lie down, with legs and wings akimbo with there eyes shut. If they have a dirty bottom I always bring them in for a bottom wash & dry Crazy..... but cute!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 Hmmmm, I'm gonna have to try it aren't I, especially if theres a chance they may like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Hmmmm, I'm gonna have to try it aren't I, especially if theres a chance they may like it! Dont expect any scintillating conversation or a tip though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 One of mine could do with a wash I'm thinking I might try it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
