Showing birds requires a good deal of preparation and training of the birds. One of the more onerous tasks is that of washing the birds to achieve the optimal feather appearance. The advent of a good quality, suitable shampoo has made the job much easier. Vetafarm have developed a bird shampoo that not only has good shampoo characteristics but is also a very effective insecticide. By adapting the techniques used in show dogs and horses Vetafarm have achieved the best in one step washing and insect eradication for show birds of all types in Power Shampoo. The addition of dimethicones ( silicone compounds ) to Power Shampoo leaves a lovely soft sheen on the feathers as well as helping to protect the feather from damage.
The insecticide in Power Shampoo is Permethrin which is recognised as the safest, most effective insecticide for use in birds. It will kill on contact the feather lice that cause disruption and damage to feathers.
The other equipment needed includes a couple of suitable containers as washtubs, an old toothbrush, some towels and some airy cages. Only wash birds in warm conditions, a wet bird will chill quickly. The use of any soap or shampoo will allow the bird to get wet right to the skin, it then has trouble controlling body heat.
Ensure that the water temperature is suitable - 36C is ideal ( the elbow test is still useful! ). Get rid of the bad faecal contamination from the feet by swirling the feet in a container of water, you do not want great lumps of faeces in the wash water.
Having added Power Shampoo to the wash water at the directed rate, and ensured that the temperature is OK, then you gently immerse the bird in the water up to its neck. Take care that water is not inhaled - birds will die from soapy water in the windpipe.
Once the bird is used to the water gently dunk the bird up and down to get good penetration of the feathers by the shampoo. Stained areas will require gentle scrubbing with the tooth brush in the direction of feather growth. Be careful with wet feathers - they will break or fall out if not handled gently.
Feet and legs should be scrubbed carefully with the tooth brush to remove soil, faeces, and scale.
Once the bird is clean let the excess water drain then gently rinse the bird in a second container of clean water. The bird can then be gently pat dried with a towel. Final drying can be in a cage in the sun ( not in a draught ) or by a hair dryer.
Following washing the bird will need to preen to reposition the barbs and barbules of the feathers. Always allow
several days between washing and showing so the feathers are in peak condition.
Regular washings with Power Shampoo will eliminate lice and add to the “ show effect “ of a well presented bird.

* DON'T USE DOG OR HUMAN SHAMPOOS ON BIRDS BECAUSE THEY REMOVE FEATHER OILS