Preparing for a show. Silkies and Cochins.

by Becky
(Ohio)

We wash our chickens in a tub with a hand held sprayer. First we let them presoak in a bucket filled with several inches of warm water and soap ( ivory soap or blue ribbon). Even presoaking for a few minutes softens the feet and vents up really well. Next step is in the tub,wet thoroughly with the sprayer,soap up and rinse,just like washing the dog. While I am washing one, the next is soaking.


Wrap in a towel,sand the beak and trim the nails. Then I put them in a large plastic bin with a dog cage dryer on them set on low. Watch closely so they don't over heat.

I wash the cochins about a week before and the silkies the night before.

We also use a hair dryer set on low/warm to dry them. In the winter/cold weather I bed them deep on shavings and let them stay in the basement until the next day.

I use Pink spray or Olive oil hair spray to add some sheen. Vet RX on their beaks,combs and wattles.

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by: Anonymous

I do almost the exact same washing regimen for our Silkies and also apply the soapy toothbrush method for crests and muffs. Afterwards we use a low setting dog grooming force dryer to dry them almost all the way(really helps fluff them up) without messing up the wings. We then spray with flasher spray of light spray, an aerasolized fine mist that adds some nice sheen to our dark birds without adding any weight. Then do a few more seconds of dryer and nail and beak grinding thereafter. Vetrx for comb, lip balm around eyes if ashy. I finish by using a flea comb to get loose feather cuticles out and helps spread out feather bases adding more definition and density to crest. Silkies are like little poodles I swear.
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by: Anonymous

Thank you, I'll try this.

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