Removing pine tar from poilsh hen's crest?

[jhmoore]

So, I had posted last week about my poor little BW polish hen being pecked by my rooster and dominant hens. As suggested, I applied the pine tar to her bald spot on her head to deter further pecking. With daily applications, it was successful. Little Sophie is now growing new feathers in and no new pecking has taken place. However, I have had to bring her inside in the last 24 hours because she is acting very odd- like she can't stay awake/has no energy. I didn't want any of the other birds to take advantage of her feeling icky, so I brought her in the house, in a large dog crate. She has been sleeping a lot, but gets up every few hours to eat and drink. So far, in 24 hours, she has only pooped 3 times. I've given her yogurt, scrambled egg, her regular feed, warm oatmeal, and she's cleaned it all up. I'm planning on just keeping her inside and quiet until she feels better, or shows any other symptoms.

Anyhow, my real question was- since she is inside and away from the others, thus no chance of being pecked, I'd like to rinse all this pine tar residue out of her crest feathers? Does anyone have a clue what the easiest way to accomplish that would be?

And, so no one worries that I'm neglectful- my vet is coming out to check on a lameness issue with one of my horses, so I will have him take a look at Sophie as well. Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions. I just love this forum- I learn so much from it!

 

[Chicken Woman]

Kountry Life How-To

How to Remove Pitch aka Pine Tar/Sap
Dirt sure don't work!
Here is what I think is the best.

Get a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and wet a rag. Blot if on clothes, if on hands pour alcohol in a bowl and vigorously scrub. Pitch will come right off and hands are clean again. Ladies, you may want to follow up with lotion as the alcohol will dry out your skin.

ShepFL, from FL, entered 2001-07-21


Things that will remove pine tar, pitch, or tar
Other things that will shift pine tar, pitch, or tar are

Water-soluble paint brush cleaner
lighter fluid
Gasoline (Petrol)
WD-40
Rubbing alcohol also works great
Just rub into the stain or mark and it will dissolve the tar. Then wash in soapy water

 

[tim_TX]

Don't worry about the pine tar. Do you want her healthy or pretty?

 

[jhmoore]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm not so sure about using alcohol so close to her eyes?

I'm not worried about her looking pretty (although she does look pretty pathetic right now). I was worried about the feathers in her crest being weighed down so much. It's naturally harder for them to see with all those feathers, but then to have them weighed down by sticky, icky stuff- makes it worse. I know I can clip her feathers, but how far back without it interfering with her feather growth?

 

[Chicken Woman]

If I were you I would give her a haircut.

 

[verthandi]

Cooking oil or real mayonnaise will remove the pine tar, but I don't know if I would stress her more right now if she isn't feeling well. As the oil would need to be shampooed out too.

 

[jhmoore]

I was worried about stressing her further too. Maybe I'll wait and see how she acts tomorrow. If she keeps up her appetite, and seems any stronger tomorrow, I could give her a little haircut and worry about the tar later on...

 

[setter4]

If it were a dog I would use either peanut butter or lard so I assume those would work on a chook too.

 

[mypicklebird]

Quote:
hair cut with a pair of kitchen scissors or dog nail trimmers. fast and easy. I do this about every 3-6 months for my polish, so she can see. If I do not, she gets stuck in corners and under the coop. I used to think she was just a very stupid chicken, but I figured out she was just blind. She gained 100 IQ points after I gave her a mowhawk.

 

[maymiegirl]

I have another idea. We removed crude oil from birds by washing them with a diluted solution of Dawn Dish liquid. I also used the process on a rescued turkey that had gotten into motor oil. It works divinely--just be careful not to get it into the eyes.

I would, however, try the mayo idea first. As alcohol-type solvents may dry out human skin, they could affect the comb and or wattles in the same manner.

The Easiest and safest method--I believe would be orange oil. Something like Goo Gone or another orange-based oil will dissolve it nicely and you will be able to use a soft cloth to rub the feathers instead of subjecting her to a bath. Orange oil will moisturize and leave the feathers Super clean and soft after rubbing gently with a soft cloth.

OH MY GOSH, Pickle, you are a hoot! hahahaha