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chickenopolis

Washing Fluffy Knickers

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Gloria hasn't been too well lately and rather than a quick snip of the fluffy knickers, they seriously need a good wash.

I had read about standing her in a washing up bowl with luke warm water, using baby shampoo and then hairdryering her before putting her back in the run - the theory sounds brilliant....

Putting it into practice scares the hell out of me! I am sure we will be both stressed and I want to minimise it for her, as she is not too well at the moment - I thought that a clean set of knickers might make her feel a bit better. She doesn't have that many feathers at the back to be honest, and I am sure caked on poop must weight a fair bit.

Can I have some tips please on how to do this without it turning into a drama, me crying and Gloria getting stressed??

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I too find it stressful as 2 of my girls hate being handled but get OH to help. We sit her in warm water and I wash the poo off as best I can - and rinse as well as I can. I dont have a utility area and dont fancy using sink in kitchen so do in a bowl in the garage where its warm. As its been warm the last few days I wrapped her in a towel and she sat wrapped in this on my knee and had a snack. Then gently dried her knicks with hairdryer. If I had to do in winter I would put her in the cat basket overnight in kitchen. Thats how I do it - shes survived 2 baths this week. if I am doing anything glaringly wrong please let me know. Good luck - if you have a willing OH to help it does give moral support.

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We have to do one of ours fairly regularly (and clean her 'malteeser feet').

She's fine about it.

 

We have small bowl of just warm water on a garden table. I grab her (that is the MOST difficult part) and stand her in the water (I keep hold of her). My OH uses kitchen paper to gently wash off mess - I think its important to 'rub' in the direction of the feather growth and not against it.

 

She's usually so calm that she gradually takes the weight off her feet and sinks into my hands (which makes it more difficult as she's a bit of a fatty).

 

We don't get her too wet, and just pat it dry with paper.

 

Then lower her gently to the ground and give her some corn (so she doesn't run off and associate bad things with us).

 

Don't be scared - be firm but gentle - it is really a 2 person job.

 

H

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I wait until we have a good drying day, half fill a washing up bowl, put on rubber gloves, catch the hen (only ever been my Legbar), plonk her in and splash and rub her bum. She quite likes it, she has a quick rub with a towel and is off to air dry in the garden. I do have my son, her owner, on stand by to help hold her if she is particularly messy. Her knickers look lovely after they have dried. I shall be doing her tomorrow weather permitting!

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I always bathe chooks in the evening and leave them to dry overnight

 

I find they struggle far less if the water is quite deep and a tub trug is ideal. I use a hand rested on their backs to hold them gently while they soak, its far easier to get the mess off if a) they are really wet and b) its been left to soak for a few minutes and a gentle message will remove it. You neednt get their back wet

 

Put the shampoo in the water not directly on the bird

 

Use another deep warm bath of clean water to rinse them

 

Towel dry them and leave them in a box to dry overnight

 

 

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I do mine in the wheelbarrow, they seem to enjoy looking at the front garden which isn't their normal area. If one doesn't like it ES puts a hand on her back while I wash the knickers. I usually do it in the morning of a sunny day so they won't get cold. They also get a small bit of corn as a treat for being good.

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Its a bit of a hassle getting our chook into a bowl, so sometimes we just hold her still and use a very wet flannel to get off the poo and then give a quick towel dry before drying naturally. Seems to be less stressful for her and means she doesnt get too soacked as its just her knickers which need it. Still easier as a 2 person job though :)

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