Washing your chicken in preparation for photo shoot

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 7:51 pm

Here is a subject I know absolutely nothing about, but Frank Goodfellow posted some pictures on the old Poultry Swap, which involved large horse barn impressive containers of soapy water and a man in hip waders?
I know some of you wash your chickens just for the fun of it, now is the time to tell or show the rest of us how?
Please?

Post by **Killerbunny** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 8:03 pm

If someone wants to come here and wash my turkeys I'll take pics.

Actually I think Fairsing had a video?

Post by **Killerbunny** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 8:07 pm

blow drying
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu_777MelzI

goatgal35 · Post by **goatgal35** » Sun Sep 18, 2016 12:35 pm

Start on a warm sunny morning. Fill three Rubbermaid totes with clean water and set in the sun to warm, or carry warm water from the house. Set up enough show cages on clean dry grass to accommodate the number of birds to be washed. We use baby shampoo and wet and wash each bird in tote number one and then rinse in tote number two and then rinse again in tote number three. Change water as needed. Oil feet legs, combs, and wattles and stick bird in show cage to preen and dry. Wear old clothes and prepare to get wet and maybe even scratched. The ducks seem to scratch the worst. We set up on a table so that it's easier on my back, also use soft tooth brushes for scrubbing toe nails and feet and old wash cloths for around faces and heads. I do this with my 4-H kids and it is always a hoot :)

Post by **WLLady** » Sun Sep 18, 2016 12:57 pm

Maybe scratched? I get scratched sometimes just collecting eggs!!

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Sun Sep 18, 2016 3:08 pm

I am thinking perhaps we should be hiring some 4H kids?

BobG · Post by **BobG** » Mon Sep 19, 2016 4:53 pm

Geeze OC to some of us tips on washing is like giving away trade secrets (LOL) . I will say that a little vinegar in your rinse water will help to cut out soap residue . If your showing white birds a few drops of Johnsons Bluing in the water will brighten your white birds, careful tho as ya don't want blue birds !!

Post by **Home Grown Poultry** » Mon Sep 19, 2016 5:12 pm

HAHA thanks Bob! I found some more trade secrets on washing birds on Troys website, Thanks Troy! Heres the link to Troys website, click on Nutrition and Conditioning.

http://featherspectrum.m.webs.com/

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 10:09 am

BobG wrote:QR_BBPOST Geeze OC to some of us tips on washing is like giving away trade secrets (LOL) . I will say that a little vinegar in your rinse water will help to cut out soap residue . If your showing white birds a few drops of Johnsons Bluing in the water will brighten your white birds, careful tho as ya don't want blue birds !!

Didn't really expect you to divulge any deep dark secrets, just some basics that would be helpful to all. I am personally not brave enough to wash a chicken, specifically LF , but have seen the difference in a show where "washed silkie " was cooped beside an unwashed one, and the difference is hard to miss.

Skinny rooster · Post by **Skinny rooster** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 10:18 am

I stopped in one day to a person's place who was on her kitchen floor, gently blow drying silkies. For the rest of the day they had to wear little bibs when eating or drinking.