Washing a white chicken for show? What am I doing wrong???

[Rare Feathers Farm]

I cannot get her beard cleaned...and a few of her top hat feathers are also brown...I'm afraid of getting shampoo in her eyes/mouth...HELP

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

So what if it's not a pure-white bird? I have a Sussex I'm bringing too...and I don't want to fade her black? Can I spot clean her? How do I know if they are "clean'' enough?

 

[CrestedHorizonPoultry]

I wash my black birds with dawn dish liquid, rinse with white vinegar and then rinse again with just plain water. You're going to get a lot of different opinions, you really just have to find what works best for you. Good luck!!

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Well, I went to handle my bantam tonight and noticed her beard is stained with bright yellow electrolyte leavin's! LOL What about that?

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
I LOVE this link, thanks!

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

So I washed her on Sunday and found she did not seem to mind too bad. She was filthy but looked good when I finished. The only thing I noticed was that I think I messed up her tail feathers.

However, she managed to get her beard and puff filthy again! I cannot seem to keep it clean. I decided to just leave it until the day we leave...otherwise, it seems to be a mute point? I just cannot get it any more white. I bought some whitening (dog) shampoo and put it on there. I left it for about 10 minutes and then rinsed. After wards, I blew her dry and put her in a wire cage. She has a pop bottle waterer and she's still getting her beard dirty!

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I don't use dawn detergent it takes too much of the natural oils out of the skin and feathers. I bought a cheap bottle of blue dish soap at Kmart and use that It not only cleans well it smells great or so the judge told my granddaughter lol . I think I paid .99 for it

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

THanks! I didn't use Dawn...I used the whitening dog shampoo, white vinegar and plain water in that order...I let the shampoo soak until I got scared I was going to end up with a blue chicken! LOL But her beard is still dingy.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

I think I'll try to wash her again tonight....maybe a spot clean?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

If the feathers are stained, nothing will get them white again. However, multiple washings and use of stain removers can help minimize the stained appearance. If you can get hold of some, try the Cowboy Magic or the Tide. Alternatively use Resolve or Spray 'n Wash or Oxiclean. Thoroughly satuate the stained feathers and let set for a good 15 minutes. Then wash and rinse.