How to Bathe a Market Chicken

Poultry is a popular choice when parents are trying to decide on a 4-H project for their children. It doesn't take a great deal of space to raise a market chicken. A market chicken can be raised in a much shorter space of time then other 4-H market projects, like a market steer. Because most chick companies send more chicks then the 4-H member needs, that means there will be spare poultry to put in the parent's freezer. Most parents don't really give a lot of thought to actually competing with the chicken until the fair is practically on top of them. As they are trying to decide which chickens will make the best 4-H chicken they realize that the birds are filthy and that something needs to be done. Read on to learn how to bathe a market chicken.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A chicken
• A mild soap, such as Ivory
• Two large basins or buckets
• Warm water
• Several old towels

1. Oddly enough the first step in cleaning your show chicken is to realize that the bird is actually dirty. You've spent several weeks raising the birds from chicks. While your at home they probably don't look to bad, you don't even give their presentation a second thought until you get to the fair and see the other chickens you will be competing against. Because their legs weren't really designed to carry the heavy bulk of their body most market chickens spend a lot of time lying down.

2. Once you have acknowledged that your chickens are dirty you need to take the time to gather the supplies you need to wash the birds. You will need to locate two large buckets or basins, several large towels (make sure you use old towels that you don't mind ruining) and a very mild soap (Ivory works especially well). You will also need someplace clean to keep your chickens after you've finished washing your chicken, dog cages and carriers work well for containing clean chickens. Place all these items in a clean grassy section of your yard.

3. If you have dogs make sure they are locked up somewhere far away from the area where you will be washing the chickens.

4. Fill both buckets three quarters of the way with water. The water should be warm to the touch but not hot. Add soap to one of the buckets. Mix the water until the water is nice and foamy. You're going to use the second bucket to rinse your chicken.

5. Round up the chickens you want to wash. Dip them into the soapy water. Make sure you hold their head above the water as you use your hand to gently rub the dirt and grime off the chicken's breast feathers. When you are satisfied that the feathers are clean remove the chicken from the sudsy water and dip into the rinse bucket.

6. After rinsing the soap from the chicken use the towel and dry your chicken. Place the chicken in a clean cage.