How to Groom a Chicken

To successfully compete in the show ring, chickens require careful grooming. The grooming techniques vary by breed and chicken color but all involve showing a clean chicken. Light-colored chickens usually require a bath within several days of the show. Dark-colored chickens require washing only if the feathers are soiled. Otherwise, just wash the chicken̵7;s feet and legs. Grooming a chicken requires several steps.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 or 4 washtubs
  • Mild soap
  • Small brush or sponge
  • Vinegar
  • Bluing
  • Soft toothbrush
  • Dry towel
  • Portable hair dryer
  • Dog nail trimmers
  • Baby oil or olive oil or petroleum jelly
  • Clean poultry cage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Line up three or four washtubs. Fill the first two or three tubs three-fourths full of lukewarm water. Add mild soap such as baby shampoo to the first tub. Pour a small amount of vinegar into the second tub. If the chicken is white, add bluing to the third tub. Add enough bluing to turn the water a very light blue color. For a darker chicken, fill the third tub with room-temperature water. For a white chicken, fill the fourth tub with lukewarm water.

    • 2

      Lower the chicken into the tub of soapy water. Hold the bird̵7;s wings so they don̵7;t flap. Don̵7;t let the water go over the chicken̵7;s head and avoid getting soap into the chicken̵7;s eyes. Place one hand on the chicken and use the other hand to gently rub the soap into the feathers and over the skin. Start at the base of the feathers and work to the tip. A small sponge or brush may be helpful to wash the bird. Use a soft toothbrush to carefully clean the legs.

    • 3

      Place the chicken in the tub with vinegar and water. The vinegar helps to remove all traces of soap. Rinse the bird thoroughly. Move a white chicken to the tub with water and bluing. Rinse completely and place the chicken in the final rinse tub. Move a dark-colored chicken to the room-temperature water tub for the final rinse.

    • 4

      Remove the chicken from the last tub. Use your hands and then a dry, soft towel to pat the chicken dry. Place the chicken in a clean cage and provide an 80- to 90-degree temperature environment. It may take 12 to 18 hours to air-dry the chicken. To speed the drying process, use a portable hair dryer on some breeds of chickens. Silkies, cochins and other loosely feathered birds have desirable puffy feathers when dried with a hair dryer.

    • 5

      Trim the toenails with dog nail trimmers and file if necessary. Place the oil or petroleum jelly on a small piece of cloth. Lightly rub the oil on the chicken̵7;s comb, wattles, beak and shanks.