4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[emmat]

I am sure this has been asked a million times but I wondered if bathing my 3 gingernuts is a good idea!

 

They live in a dirt environment, we give them grass to feed but they free-range on soil and woodchip mainly so they get very dusty.

 

I've been putting sudocrem on their bald rumps for a few weeks and it's caused dirt to stick to their feathers like glue.

 

So...

 

A) would they cope if I bathed them - I was thinking in a large shallow bucket of tepid water and a natural sponge.

 

B) would they feel any benefit of being spruced up - or am I doing this for my own good?

 

 

Any help appreciated!

[legend21]

I think it is for your own good. from previous posts people just wash there botts and leave the rest, some chickens get cold very quickly and if you are going to do it, it should be on a hot day, after a dust bath mine look positively grubby, but they are so happy in their dust bath

 

good luck

 

Jackie

[keyhole kate]

I bath and hairdry mine they love it I think its a personal choice thing

[Plum]

I wouldn't bother bathing if they are just grubby, but if they have droppings stuck to the feathers then I think they need cleaning. I put mine in the kitchen sink and wash with warm soapy water, rinse and blow dry. They seem content to tolerate it and don't panic at all.

[chick wiggle]

I bathed my two light sussexs as they had dirty bottoms and were looking decidedly grubby after lots of dustbathing. I used a large trug filled with four/five inches of warm water with a bit of ecover in it. I gave them a good bath, then wrapped them in a towel

and gave them a good ol' cuddle to dry the worst off and then finished with a hairdryer. they loved it It was a nice day though.

[Plum]

Aw Wiggle they are so cute

[chick wiggle]

They are adorable arnt they,

[Hen Watch]

I rely on my chooks dustbathing to clean themselves.

 

However Henny did have a very dirty bum recently (due to the runs) and I felt it needed cleaning to prevent flystrike, so I dunked her rear end in a bucket of lukewarm water, gave her feathers a wiggle, and she dried herself off. It was a hot day though.

 

This is Stella having a bath (when I thought she was eggbound, but turned out she wasn't)

 

PS. Don't do it indoors like I did..... nice warm day is best.

[emmat]

Thanks guys!

 

Hmmm - shame I am not at home today doing it so they could dry off nicely! I fear this could be the last warm day for a while. Mind you - doing it solo and 8 months pregnant might be a bit of a chore for me!

 

I think I'll give them a shallow wash this weekend if it's nice. See how they go with that and just spruce them up a bit.

 

Pics are fab too!

xx

[Valkyrie]

Mine go in the utility room sink and then blow driered on the draining board. Apache loves it - Sioux hates it, but not much she can do in an arm lock. If it's a nice day I only partly dry them and let them preen and the sun do the rest. Not a good idea blow drying when moulting - the amount of feathers flying round! The young girls and boy seem to be fine, so haven't had the delights of a wet bath yet.

[Gelbel]

Not a good idea blow drying when moulting - the amount of feathers flying round!

[Plum]

Not a good idea blow drying when moulting - the amount of feathers flying round!

 

Only Koojie would do that

[Valkyrie]

I'm still finding them from time to time - I swear they hide and float down from wherever they landed after I think I have the last one!