Miss Moneypenny Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Has anyone washed a chicken before? My light Sussex used to be a lovely white now she's more a creamy grey and does not look like moulting anytime soon! Any suggestions for a lovely clean white chicken again? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 I put my girls in the bath (one at a time ) and use the shower attachment on them . They love it and stand quite happily while I wash their botties . They also enjoy a gentle blowdry with the hairdryer in front of the fire . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Yes you can bathe them, horse or dog shampoo works well Put the shampoo in the water rather than on the chook as she will rinse a lot easier wash the feet first under a tap or in separate water or they will make the washing water filthy! Use one bowl for the shampooing and one for rinsing - kitchen sink (put a flannel in the bottom so she doesnt slip) or a rubber tub trug are both ok to use as a bath, deep water stops them flapping and makes it easier to get them clean without manhandling them too much - some pics here to demonstrate water depth etc.. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=71881&p=1020107&hilit=greystoke#p1020107 After the bath wrap the chook in a towel and pat out as much water as possible dry with a hairdryer or in a box in the house overnight - dont put the chook back out until she is totally dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megalin Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I did my white pekin the other day, can't say she really liked it but she was very good indeed. There are some videos on youtube which I found useful as well as redwing's pics. Bit tricky to really get the dirt out, think a washing up brush or something similar would have been good. And make sure you have everything you need very close at hand as it's not easy to reach to get everything while you're doing it! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Threatened mine with the washing machine... She just looked at me!! Guess she knew I wasn't being serious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfnirvana Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I've washed a couple of mine in the past in the kitchen sink. Both of them were very quiet and seemed to quite like the warm (not hot), shallow water. It make a big difference. Then I dried them off with a towel and blew them dry with the hair dryer on the low setting. They loved this and were quite happy to stand still whilst the hair dryer was waved all round their nether regions!! They looked very lovely afterwards and when I put them back in their run, I swear I caught the other chooks looking at them with envy for their newly fluffed up feathers!! Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I washed Sunday and Mosschops before Christmas only their bums to ge their skiddies off as they were rather unsightly . They need doing again I have to say. My only advise is to clear the stuff off the window, unlike me who left the amaryllis there and ended up with dirt and plant everywhere when Sunny made a bid for freedom. They rather liked the hairdryer though and had the most beautiful fluffy fluff ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Moneypenny Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share Posted January 13, 2011 Thanks so much! I feel quite excited about washing Pussy Galore now! I shall take all your advice and get to it on Sunday! Ah keeping chickens is sooooo much fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Harriet and Stella definitey are not White Star chickens anymore...they will be washed very soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 My Snowbelles are looking rather white with brown tints!!! one is also moulting so does look a sight Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Harriet and Stella definitey are not White Star chickens anymore...they will be washed very soon Don't mean to be a damp squib, but just wanted to mention.... Chicken feathers aren't water resistant, and if you bath a chook you have to get her COMPLETELY dry before putting her back out in this weather. In the summer, it's not so bad if she's not completely dry as the sun will dry her, and it's warm out anyway. At this time of year it's cold, even on mild days....try going out with wet hair and you'll feel it. It takes quite a long time with a hairdryer to get everything fully dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Harriet and Stella definitey are not White Star chickens anymore...they will be washed very soon Don't mean to be a damp squib, but just wanted to mention.... Chicken feathers aren't water resistant, and if you bath a chook you have to get her COMPLETELY dry before putting her back out in this weather. In the summer, it's not so bad if she's not completely dry as the sun will dry her, and it's warm out anyway. At this time of year it's cold, even on mild days....try going out with wet hair and you'll feel it. It takes quite a long time with a hairdryer to get everything fully dry. When I said very soon...what I really meant is the Summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
