Ingredients

• 1 gallon (3.8 L) warm water (comfortably warm, not hot)
• ½ cup plain Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
• Large tub or basin deep enough to cover the chicken’s lower body
• Clean towel for drying

Instructions

• Fill the tub with 1 gallon of warm water.
• Dissolve ½ cup of plain Epsom salt completely in the water.
• Check the temperature to ensure it is warm but not hot before placing the chicken in the bath

How to Use

• Gently place the chicken into the solution so the vent and lower abdomen are submerged while keeping the head and wings above water.
• Allow the chicken to soak for 15–20 minutes. Stay with the bird the entire time to prevent stress or injury.
• After the soak, pat the chicken dry with a clean towel and keep it in a warm, draft-free area until fully dry.

Condition-Specific Uses

• Suspected egg binding: A warm Epsom salt bath may help relax the muscles around the reproductive tract and provide comfort. If the hen does not pass the egg within several hours or appears weak, distressed, or has difficulty breathing, seek prompt veterinary care.
• Vent gleet: The bath can help gently clean dried discharge and soiled feathers around the vent. Thoroughly dry the area afterward and address the underlying cause, which may require changes in diet, hygiene, or veterinary treatment.
• Minor vent irritation or dirty feathers: Occasional soaks can help clean the area before applying veterinarian-recommended treatments.

If a chicken has persistent symptoms, severe lethargy, bleeding, a prolapse, or repeated egg-binding episodes, veterinary evaluation is recommended.

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Learn more about the many uses and applications of Epsom Salt below.