clucky chicken Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 HI everyone - Happy New Year to one and all! Just a quick one - is it just mine or has everyone got filthy chickens in the winter? My four have got very dirty knickers and feet... I can't seem to keep their small run dry when it rains no matter what I do, they still love to FR in the garden when the weather is dry, but I do feel so awful - they look so wretched! Their tail feathers are also a bit messy although they seem to be happy otherwise, eating drinking and still laying for england even though it's been so cold..... I don't like to bathe them in this weather although I will def do it in the spring when the weather warms up, but I just wondered what on earth I can do to keep them looking clean? They are very well loved, they still get hugs and cuddles, and treats galore most days even in this extreme cold weather but I'm sure if anyone could see them they would think I just neglect them! What am I doing wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Is the run well drained and covered? You can bring them in and wash them but they will need to be dry before the go back out so will need a blow dry or keeping in overnight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Well, our run has been put on top of slabs so it's easier to clean out, but still the wet gets in - it's a covered run which has about 3 inches of bark chippings on, and have also put tarps on the side that the rain comes in, but it still doesn't stay dry - I did think of bringing the girls in for a bath, but am concerned that they might catch a cold, even if I do make sure they're dry before they go back out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 It sounds like you are doing all you can I often use a couple of bucketfuls of Aubiose in my big run to soak up some of the damp As long as the hens are perfectly dry before they go back out they will be fine, just dont bathe them so often they lose the natural protection of their feathers, I bathe my show chooks at least twice a month without them suffering unduly, the boy gets blow dried and the girls stay in a box next to a heater overnight to dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky chicken Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Thanks for the replies all, will bring them in this weekend for a bath, and leave them in overnight by the radiator - goodness, they'll think they're in heaven! Going to buy some shower curtains from Ikea also this weekend to put round the other side of the run, so hopefully it will stay drier..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooties Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Can I please join in this post? I'm finding the same problem with the run being mucky. My eglu run with converter is on slabs and covered with 2 shower curtains. I also have put some of that green lawn edging all around it, to keep the bark chippings in. The base is covered with bark chippings but even after just a few wks of a major clean out, the bark is all slimy and wet. I really thought covering it would help, its also in quite a sheltered position in the garden. What else can I do to help keep it dry? I wanted to put auboise down in the run the next time I clean it out, but it really looks like its just too wet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 bark chippings will get slimy Wood chips are better and drain well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellybean29 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 the other day one of my orps decided she was going to sitin the muddyest part of the garden and this was also the only part not covered in snow! i dont know about buff she looked more chocolate to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 My hens dust bath in the veg patches when they're free ranging ... talk about muddy! But they seem to like it, and the mud slowly wears off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
