merlina Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Long story short; Ena's legs gave way yesterday, I read all the posts on lame hens and she's now in a box inside. But she's got poo all over her backside which needs washing off How? I don't want to distress her too much What about drying? She's inside in the warm - do I need to try and dry her? (I don't own a hairdryer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf_space Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Sorry I do not know a full answer to your question, however, someone more knowledgable will come along soon i'm sure. When we had chicks and they had poo on their bums, I used to place cotton wool buds in warm water and use that to soften it then wipe it off. This seemed to work fine. Why not try that on a larger scale, maybe some cotton wool pads and a bowl of warm water? I hope this helps a little! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I've used baby wipes for a little but of poo, soaked cotton wool as suggested and the couple of time I washed coco I used a washing up bowl with warm water and baby shampoo. Just gently placed her in, she seemed to quite like it and didn't really struggle, then washed the poo covered bit (can be quite stubborn so rubbing between fingers seems to loosen if you can stomach) and then just towel dried her as it was summer. Some people use a hair dryer on a low setting, but I would think shed be ok say on a towel inside, just keep an eye on her? Hope she gets better, do you know/suspect what has caused the lameness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Last year I had a hen with a runny bottom. We bathed her twice, using trug, warm water and baby shampoo. If you can let her sit in the warm water and rub the area gently, the poo should loosen off. Then we towel dried her and finished off with the hair dryer! Mandy seemed to quiet enjoy her baths! I suppose if she is inside after towel drying you could leave her near a heat source to finish off? Hope she's better soon!!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 i do mine in the kitchen sink with baby or dog shampoo. Fairly warm, let them sink into it up to the neck and work away at the crusty poo under water until it comes off but don't pull. You can always trim it with scissors too. Then a good long blow dry and kept indoors overnight to dry next to the radiator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 I'll try the damp cotton wool to start with - thanks Maybe the bowl bath tomorrow! (I'd assumed she'd hate that, but if others don't, it's worth a go) No idea what caused the lameness, she just couldn't stand, (both legs seem weak) but apart from runny poo seems bright and well and eating. She still can't stand really, well she does for a few moments and then flops. Guess she's spending another night in the bathroom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Oh dear, maybe if you see no improvement take her to the vet? You don't say how old she is, or if she is a pure breed or hybrid. Could it be age related?? Any other symptoms..are her toes curled, are her legs hot or swollen?? Is she laying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 (edited) Oh dear, maybe if you see no improvement take her to the vet? You don't say how old she is, or if she is a pure breed or hybrid. Could it be age related?? Any other symptoms..are her toes curled, are her legs hot or swollen?? Is she laying? No other symptoms really; she's about 2.5 years old ; warren breed She'll go to the vet if she's no better tomorrow. but am not sure vets are at all good with hen illnesses - this is farming country and the tendancy is just to cull them She hasn't laid today, not sure before that, one of them lays intermittently 'normally' Edited January 13, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Oh, don't get me started on vets!!! But to be truthful mine will try and help. Hope she improves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcharlie43 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I have had 2 sick hens that I have bathed after getting mucky bums. I half filled the bath with warm water and baby shampoo and put the girls straight in. After a few flaps they settled down and I then gently washed them. I then dried them off with a towel and finished off with the hairdryer. They did seem happier after the clean up and didn't seem to object to the bath and appeared to like the blow dry . If you don't have a hairdryer just dry them off as much as you can and leave the heating on overnight. I hope she is better tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 In my experience they quite like a warm bath and having their botty washed . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 I had to bathe my little Pudding last year she happily sat in a washing up bowl (an old one we dont use) I used some of my ratties shampoo she seemed to really enjoy it and even let my 3 yr old help. We then wrapped her in a towel fed her some meal worms and got the hair dyer out Wash Dry And a blow dry madam PS table etc was fully bleeched after There is somewhere on here a guide to washing etc hope your girl gets better soon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 lovely pictures! Ena will be getting a bath later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 The temp of the water seems to have a big effect on the behaviour of my chooks, I do them in the kitchen sink, usually when hubby is out . I was worried about scalding them at first, or overheating them, but then I remembered that their body temp is higher than ours. Mine seem to like it quite hot!! And kick off if the temp begins to drop . Good luck. Have an old towel ready and within reach! You don't want to go and search for one and leave a soggy chicken unattended, they shake like wet dogs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Without being depressing, we had a chook that couldn't stand. (I washed her in a large trug to get some of the poo off) We had to take her to the vets in the end - was fine in every aspect, just wouldn't stand. Had to have her PTS unfortunately - there is a condition that birds get where they just "forget" how to stand, the silly things. And that is no quality of life for a chook! Worth getting her checked out if goes on too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Without being depressing, we had a chook that couldn't stand. (I washed her in a large trug to get some of the poo off) We had to take her to the vets in the end - was fine in every aspect, just wouldn't stand. Had to have her PTS unfortunately - there is a condition that birds get where they just "forget" how to stand, the silly things. And that is no quality of life for a chook! Worth getting her checked out if goes on too long. I thought it might be something like that She's spent her 2nd night in the bath and the runny poo has stopped. So she's completely healthy looking apart from this she keeps trying to stand up, but can't manage it - bit like a little old lady who needs a walking stick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I have heard of people making slings for chickens. If she is is healthy in every other way?? Saw picture of someone who had suspended the chook in a pair of knickers until she was back on her legs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
