AussieChick Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Hi Got my ex batts a few weeks ago and they are to say the least, a bit pungent. We have checked them over etc but they do smell very "bad". One is laying, one is not. What can I do? I know you can bath a chook but I think that it would be just too traumatic for them and I don't want them to suffer any more than they have already. Obviously the conditions they were living in were terrible with little fresh air etc and I know that might be a factor, but after two months of rehabilitation I thought they might freshen up a bit? Any ideas/similar experiences? Thanks in advance... Harry-ette, Hermione and Ronnie The Ex-Batts Korma and Balti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I agree that bathing them likely to be traumatic for them just now and weather a bit cold for birds who are not used to weather. Have you got a dust bath for them - mix of sand/dirt/squirt of red mite powder (check dosage on packed as don't want to irritate their, or your, respitory system) - mix it all up, pop chickens in and they should dust bath and help selves smell and feel better. It is lovely to watch any hen dustbathe, but I am especially uplifted to see my exbatts do it - some take to it naturally, but a couple of mine had to watch others to learn - you could always given them a wee help if necessary to start off. I do remember mine smelt a bit for a wee while after "coming out" and any animals I have had from rescue kennels have always carried a bit of a smell of the kennels for a while too. Hopefully your ladies will be smelling sweet soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Mine stank to high heaven when I first got them....but it did fade quite quickly. I did douse them liberally with Barrier Red mite Powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieChick Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share Posted January 28, 2009 Yes, I have held them upside down by their feet and let their wings flap open and doused them with Red Mite Powder to get it thoroughly into their "armpits" (!) ... Will try the dustbath idea...just difficult this time of year - it's a bog out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Their bones are quite fragile and wings so it's best to support them on your lap and then gently massage a little in. The fresh hen smell is lovely and will soon happen naturally. Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Mine stank to high heaven when I first got them....but it did fade quite quickly. I did douse them liberally with Barrier Red mite Powder. I use this too on them and also on the nest material and dust bath contents. Smells lovely and they seem to like it too (unlike the red mites!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 it's a bog out there! Tell me about it - we had to resort to washing our wee pekin bantam the other day as she was soooo filthy - will post photos on forum when I get a chance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I agree that bathing them likely to be traumatic for them just now and weather a bit cold for birds who are not used to weather. Have you got a dust bath for them - mix of sand/dirt/squirt of red mite powder (check dosage on packed as don't want to irritate their, or your, respitory system) - mix it all up, pop chickens in and they should dust bath and help selves smell and feel better. It is lovely to watch any hen dustbathe, but I am especially uplifted to see my exbatts do it - some take to it naturally, but a couple of mine had to watch others to learn - you could always given them a wee help if necessary to start off. I do remember mine smelt a bit for a wee while after "coming out" and any animals I have had from rescue kennels have always carried a bit of a smell of the kennels for a while too. Hopefully your ladies will be smelling sweet soon! I agree with all of the above, plus add some garlic powder to their food as that stops their poo from smelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Yes, I have held them upside down by their feet and let their wings flap open and doused them with Red Mite Powder to get it thoroughly into their "armpits" (!) ... .... please be gentle with them, best to hold them on your knee or btwn your ankles or get someone else to hold them while you rub the powder in, gently! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieChick Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share Posted January 28, 2009 Yes, don't worry I was gentle...they flap a little bit and then are completely calm. It sounds awful when you hear about that technique and I must admit I got my husband to do the holding and I did the sprinkling with the powder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Welcome to the ex-batt fan club! My little lot still have red mite powder and diatomaceous earth liberally sprinkled in their bedding and get natural live yogurt added to their porridge to keep their little tums sweet. As others have said, they do pong a bit when they first arrive and this soon goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Yes, don't worry I was gentle...they flap a little bit and then are completely calm. It sounds awful when you hear about that technique and I must admit I got my husband to do the holding and I did the sprinkling with the powder! I know that this is a technique for holding poultry and removing them from the farm but I'd just like to encourage you to not use this with your ex bats, not sure if they are our BHWT girls, it's simply the fragility of their bones and wings means they need gentle handling. I hope it all smells sweetly soon Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
