Since before I can remember, my family has been using Dawn to clean dishes, silverware, and other common kitchen items. There have been very few times we have strayed away from using this soap, but it has been by far the best strong dish soap we’ve come across. However, Dawn’s more gentle qualities have truly shown their ability over the last decade, now that my family raises chickens! These funny little birds have become a huge part of the family, and of course, we do everything we can to keep them happy and healthy! This includes keeping them tidy!
When it comes to chickens, Dawn has been particularly helpful in cleaning:
- Dishes (of course)
- Hands
- Bird-related necessities
- Eggs
- Chickens themselves!
Care and Materials
Just as you and I have dishes to clean, chickens do too! Every once in a while, our chickens need their water containers washed out to prevent any algae from building up to keep them healthy! Dawn’s degreasing properties does an amazing job at cleaning off any sludge-y materials. Dawn has been especially helpful in assisting with these build ups when a waterer has been unused in a while and I have to bring it back to use! A simple bit of even the original Dawn dish soap, a scrubber sponge, and some water to wash it away make for one powerful tool!
Food Specific
Dawn is most regularly used as a dish soap, which people commonly assume means it’s safe for more food. Of course, one of the biggest things chickens are known for are eggs! If you own chickens, you know that farm-fresh eggs aren’t always safe from a little extra dirt, and while fresh eggs are perfectly safe to eat without soap, sometimes they do need a slight scrubdown. When it comes to washing eggs, a simple water rinse is best, but if it’s a true necessity—because it does happen—it is recommended you not use a strongly scented soap, and oftentimes Dawn Original is recommended as a natural soap! We use Dawn Original frequently for both eggs and dishes.
Note: Do not wash foods such as fruits or vegetables with soap! It is not recommended.
Bath Time
With any pet, accidents happen! Chickens are animals that take dust baths, but when a real soap and water bath is needed—such as when they are feeling unwell and have a poopy butt—Dawn is the number one soap we use for any unusual animal baths. In fact, one of Dawn’s main selling points is for animal use! Dawn has saved over a hundred and fifty thousand marine birds and wildlife from oil spills and general rehabilitation. This is because while Dawn breaks down oils, it is not so strong and powerful that it is harmful to the natural oils found on these birds’ feathers that protect them from the water they swim in. Think about it: Dawn can also be used as a hand soap for us, and this is for the same reason. Dawn does not harm the natural oils on our skin! Similar to these birds and us humans, chickens also have natural oils on their feathers and skin, and Dawn protects them rather than destroys them like many other dish soaps may, so for the occasional birdy bath time, Dawn makes for the perfect fit!
So, if you’re seeking a multi-purpose soap that is both powerful and effective at cleaning while also remaining gentle on the skin, Dawn is the perfect option for you!