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

[greenfreek]

Hello, Ive had my rescue hens a few weeks now.

 

I want to give them a bath so I can check them all over and give thm a little pamper.

 

Can anyone suggest how would be the best way to go about this and any tips like best time of day and so on. I'll probably be doing it tomorrow with the help of my sister.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Redwing]

The chicken should not go outside wet after its bath so the best time to given it a bath is first thing so they can dry off before going out later or last thing and let them sleep in a box overnight in the house (thats the option I choose)

 

I use a tub trug or the ktchen sink (depending on whether there are dirty plates in the sink!)

 

I fill the sink with plain warm water until its about chest level for the chicken, they seem to relax better in this depth than a shallower one where they will splash you with their feet

 

The chickens I have bathed go quite relaxed but like something to lean against lke your bent arm or the side of the sink

 

Give them a good scrub (toothbrushes are good for legs and feathers on legs) then rinse well, this is really important, the first lot I did were not rinsed well enbough and looked 'greasy' for a couple of months afterwards, I find it hard to rinse well in the sink so must admit that I get the kitchen tap nice and warm and hold the chcken under it like a shower to rinse

 

After their bath wrap them in a towel and blot as much of the moisture out as possible

 

They will often go funny on their legs like they are drunk, this is normal if a little worrying to see, I put a towel all creased up in the bottom of a dog cage then place them in it, they 'prop' themselves up on the creases and air will circulate nicely to dry them, place them near a heater to dry or you can use a hairdryer which apparently chickens take very happily to!

[greenfreek]

Eggcellent, thanks Redwing

[jimnpaula]

I haven't bathed my girls but I have warmed/dried one with a hairdryer and she seemed quite ok with it. Just turn it on so she gets used to the noise first and then start wafting her with it.

 

P