[Charlie's Chickens]

Hi All,

Looking for a bit of guidance if I could please.

One of our chickens has always had a bit of a less clean bum then the others but just recently it has got worse.

She is fine in herself, eating and drinking well and laying well.

Should I bath her to clean her up in case she gets anything nasty down there?

If I should what do I use??? :blink:  I guess its not Radox 

Thanks

[compostqueen]

If she keeps getting a mucky bum you'll have to think about what's causing it. Are you giving her too many greens?

I would give her butt a wash with some warm water with a bit of gentle shampoo in it and then rinse thoroughly with warm water, towel her gently dry and let her free range on a lovely warm day  so she dries naturally. Make sure the nesting boxes are clean too     

[Charlie's Chickens]

Thanks for the reply, bath it is...should be fun  :blink:

Not sure why her bum is mucky as she eats no differently to the 5 others and they are all fine. 

Might seem strange but it seems as if maybe her feathers back there are a bit too long or as she goes, her aim isn't strong enough (sorry TMI).

I will clean her up and see how she goes.  Thanks again 

[joyfull]

One of my hens is exactly the same - longer bum fluff !!!!
Need to keep her clean especially in warm weather to prevent flies going round there (I know sheep can get blo flies which is why they get their tails removed unless they are on the mountains area where they are left on to help keep drafts out!!). Don't know if chickens can get blo flies but best to be safe than sorry.

[Roughlee Handled]

You can wash you chicken and I have see photos of it done in a kitchen sink. But do not try this at home kids unless very very dirty or going to a show.


Then the blow dry


Distructions can be found here.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4512807_wash-a-chicken.html

[compostqueen]

I used a garden trug to bathe my bird as well. It was a lovely hot day when my girl had a bath so no need for a blow dry. She looks as if she doesn't mind at all 

[Foxy]

I bathe my birds before a show, its strange really though my cockbird, Bigfoot really enjoyed the blow dry afterwards!

[compostqueen]

I've only bathed my one girly who had the mucky bum. Is it a good idea to bathe birds at least once a year  ?  Or, is it best to leave well alone ?   

[Charlie's Chickens]

Thank you for all your comments.

The deed has been done and she is looking much better    although I did have to trim some of the really matted feathers.

I was however surprised at how so few feathers create so much fluffy coverage.....having never seen a wet chicken before not sure how I would have known otherwise  :blink:

Having just checked her she is nicely dry and fluffy once again 

[compostqueen]

  well done and I'm sure she'll feel much more comfortable now