jellykelly Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 How do I go about doing this? I am envisaging lots of flapping, a chicken wildly trying to escape, screeching kids and a soaked bathroom! My ex batt, that has been doused in anti peck spray looks a bit erm.... mucky at the moment. The anti peck stuff has made her a brown and clogged up looking. I need to clean her but am a bit worried about her first bath! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 We did this when Pepper had a blockage and we were tryi ng to get her to relax. Were very dubious as she is not one for being caught let alone handled much. But no problems! We filled the sink in the utlity room to depth of a few inches and stood her in it. I held her with hands on either side of her body and other half washed her bum with some liquid soap. She stood still no problem and her eyes closed as if she was enjoying it! In the end I didn't even hold her and she just stood there not trying to escape or anything. Then we thought we'd push our luck and trying blow drying her - again had no problems!!! Used a slow, low heat but she wasn't worried byy the noise or by the warm air and again seemed to quite like it. So give it a go and you may be surpised how easy it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 Ok - almost convinced! I'll have a go tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 We did this when Pepper had a blockage and we were tryi ng to get her to relax. Were very dubious as she is not one for being caught let alone handled much. But no problems! We filled the sink in the utlity room to depth of a few inches and stood her in it. I held her with hands on either side of her body and other half washed her bum with some liquid soap. She stood still no problem and her eyes closed as if she was enjoying it! In the end I didn't even hold her and she just stood there not trying to escape or anything. Then we thought we'd push our luck and trying blow drying her - again had no problems!!! Used a slow, low heat but she wasn't worried byy the noise or by the warm air and again seemed to quite like it. So give it a go and you may be surpised how easy it is! Ditto to most of the above, though I have to do both ends myself as I'm usually alone when bathing is needed !! I have a little enamel bath tub (a bit smaller than a baby bath) which sits on a towel in our bath, so if the hen decides to exit stage right, she invariably is too soggy to get out of the main bath & is reasonably easy to contain...so far this has only happened once Make sure you don't use anything too strong to wash her & ensure it's all rinsed off so her skin doesn't react. My rabble have all been surprisingly happy to have the hair dryer on low power & heat settled on the floor/sofa/worktop near them so they get dried off before going back outside. Do not put her straight back outside of it's cold, mine stay inside in a dog cage for a while unless the sun is out & fairly warm. Have fun Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Same here, go for it, they will probably surprise you. Mine all love having a bath and a blow dry, even the ones who dont really go in for cuddles will stand still for a wash and blow dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoura Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 do you wash them all over? and what do you use? is baby shampoo ok or is there some special chicken shampoo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I pop them in luke warm water and use Ecover washing up liquid (no chemicals) and i use a trug, quite high sides so should they feel the need to have a flap they're not going anywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I use Ecover washing up liquid. If mine are really dirty I will do a full wash in Summer warm months only with blow dry. During Winter and cold spells if one has a dirty bum they get a botty wash and blow dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Our chickens absolutely hate bathing but don't let that put you off - as long as you have someone holding them firmly you can still bathe them. Hazel, Ranger, Porsche, Audi, RIP Chestnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I only do the dirty bits as I haven't had to do a summer bath yet, I don't think it's fair to totally immerse them in the colder months I either use Ecover or I found an old bottle of mega gentle dog shampoo in my mum's cupboard, so use that at the mo. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiney Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Bathing chickens is fun! I have had to bath mine loads and its easier to wrap her in a towel underneath and hot it at the top, a bit like a sling, Keeps the wings in and just allows you to dip her bum in lukewarm water. I use just a normal bar of soap and an old toothbrush for any stubborn bits of dried gunk. I hair dry mine after too which I kinda think they like. Good luck!!! They smell lovely after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joza2210 Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I love washing my chickens I use johnsons baby bath , it works good ... Then i rinse it off and use tea tree conditioner Then rinse that off and add a drop a vinegar in the final rinse , it makes the feathers glow ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 and a cheap plastic storage box s good too, esp if you want to help a softee or blocked egg, as then they need water up to their vent. I use jihnsons baby also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
