Shampoo for Chickens?

Don't wildlife rehabilitators use Dawn on birds and other wildlife that get caught in oil spills? If it works for them...

This is a really good overview of your basic chicken bath.

Dish soap is, indeed, just fine, but dilute it within the bathwater rather than applying directly to the bird, because 1) it can be really hard to rinse off in its concentrated form and 2) it dries out the skin.

Epsom salts are also safe for birdy bathwater.

If you need to wash the chicken's head (generally only necessary if there's a head injury), I'd forgo the soap completely and instead gently irrigate the wound with streaming water until it's clear of debris (if it's dried and crusty, this may take a little time, but birds are pretty OK with it once they get over their initial fear and realize they're not being hurt and warm water feels nice). I've had to do this with quail a couple times, and I just turn on the tap and hold the bird under it so the water flows across the wound without getting in their eyes/nose/mouth. Then gently pat dry and apply a thick slathering of basic triple antibiotic ointment (neosporin). Some ointments have added ingredients to help relieve pain and whatnot - do NOT use these, stick to the plain vanilla stuff).

Massively off topic, but just be grateful you're not trying to shampoo a cat.

Cat ended up cramponing his way out of the bath via my late partner's hands, arms and chest. Cat finished up on other half's head with claws fully extended for maximum purchase.

Good luck with birdy.

Actually the opposite end is far easier to clean, at least in my experience. Just use nice warm water deep enough that it hits the affected area even if the bird is standing, and let them stand there and soak until the mess is softened and easy to wash away. A lot of birds seem to really enjoy a nice warm soak. Some you have to supervise so they don't jump out, but others will settle in after a bit and even doze off.


And of course... it would be the cranky one. Ain't that always the way? Good luck. May nobody bleed today.

I just realized what this topic should have been called.

"Shampoo for Chicks"

Would've thrown everyone a fruit loop!

This is my new band name.

Can you not use the sink?

AZ_Dawn said:

I think the sink would have the same basic problems as the bathtub, plus a few others. This is going to be a 2-person job, and there's not enough room around the bathroom sink. Washing her in the kitchen sink would turn it into a 3-person job; 2 to wash Annie and one to bleach the sink while we dry her. (True, we'd have to bleach whatever sink we washed her in, but it's a more immediate issue in the kitchen.)

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Is someone gonna be waiting to lick the kitchen sink?

I mean... I'd wash the sink too (before and after, if I'm bathing something in it), but... it's a sink. Takes two minutes, and how immediate can it be? Where would you wash an infant? Presumably the kitchen sink, no? Where do you wash the dog?

Is now the time to ask: "Do the chickens have large talons?"

AZ_Dawn said:

I'll spare you the gory details and just say one of the girls needs a bath. I've been researching how to bathe chickens, and I've learned the basics of it. Only one thing confuses me: what shampoo to use. One person says don't dish soap, another say use mild dish soap. One says baby shampoo or any mild pet shampoo will do, another says there's bird-specific shampoos. So many option and opinions...

Does anyone have any recommendations for chicken shampoo? Preferably something I can find at the local pet store at least.

Thanks!

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We always used a birdbath for our chickens though they all stayed in the coop outdoors. No soap was ever used and they just flopped around in the bath. I don't believe they have such a thing as chicken poo

Best way to bathe a chicken is in batter follow by a dip in some hot oil.

LOL.

Quite amazing topic