[header] How to bathe a chicken [title] Bathe your chicken only when necessary. [step] Most chickens can keep themselves reasonably clean by taking regular dust baths and grooming on their own. However, if your bird has caked on droppings or has been sprayed by a skunk, then a bath is required. 
Other reasons for bathing include cleaning out or assessing a wound on your bird. [substeps] If your bird is sick, then it's possible that they may stop grooming themselves.