Duck first aid kit

I would really like to make a duck first aid kit.
I am getting my 4 baby girls in June and I have never had ducks before.
So all you experienced duck owners. What should I get for my kit?
I want to have stuff in it for any and all injuries that a duck may incur.
Thank you!

I would like to offer this sticky to you.....but first, promise you won't let yourself get overwhelmed.

It takes time to collect a first aid kit. Babysteps.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/356725/duckie-first-aid-kit-supplies-and-ideas

The things I have used the most, or at all

triple antibiotic ointment, no painkiller
Epsom salt
Calcium gluconate 23% solution
Calcium citrate
apple cider vinegar
food grade activated charcoal powder
Tylan
comfrey salve
Vitamins and Electrolytes Plus
vet wrap
clear iodine (a.k.a. yodo blanco)
toenail clippers
benadryl cream

things I keep handy but have not had to use
unused wooden pencils with rubber eraser ends
half inch flexible tubing
manuka honey
Preparation H

This is a great thread.

The #1 thing I'd recommend is vetericyn spray. They have a wound spray and an eye wash.

It keeps forever and it really sucks to find that you have a duckling with a wound and the local feed stores TSC are closed!

Amiga said:

I would like to offer this sticky to you.....but first, promise you won't let yourself get overwhelmed.

It takes time to collect a first aid kit.  Babysteps.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/356725/duckie-first-aid-kit-supplies-and-ideas

The things I have used the most, or at all

triple antibiotic ointment, no painkiller
Epsom salt
Calcium gluconate 23% solution
Calcium citrate
apple cider vinegar
food grade activated charcoal powder
Tylan
comfrey salve
Vitamins and Electrolytes Plus
vet wrap
clear iodine (a.k.a. yodo blanco)
toenail clippers
benadryl cream

things I keep handy but have not had to use
unused wooden pencils with rubber eraser ends
half inch flexible tubing
manuka honey
Preparation H

Click to expand...

A few questions.
What is preparation H, Tylan, calcium gluconate 23% solution, Calcium citrate, the food grade charcoal powder, and benadryl cream used for? What situations would I need them for?

neetabeamie said:

A few questions.
What is preparation H, Tylan, calcium gluconate 23% solution, Calcium citrate, the food grade charcoal powder, and benadryl cream used for? What situations would I need them for?

Click to expand...

Wow - I woke up to a quiz! Before coffee! Let's see how I do

Preparation H - for humans, treatment for hemorrhoids. Did I spell that right? Anyway, it reduces swelling in tender tissue, and has been used when there is no vet immediately available, for treating prolapse. It is not the magic wand for prolapse - but it can reduce swelling as part of a treatment program (prolapses often accompany a bound egg, and can become infected).

Tylan - antibiotic. It has been prescribed by my vet for a duck who had a "weird spiral thing" in her fecal sample. casportpony has posted links on antibiotics to help us each do our research on these. I am no expert, but there is some information out there.

Calcium gluconate 23% solution, often sold to help with 4-footed mamas with milk fever. For ducks, it helps address calcium deficiency, and is a liquid that can be added to food, water, treats. I used to use it - and for a while needed so much extra calcium I switched to ...

Calcium citrate tablets. These are another source of calcium for ducks who either aren't getting enough from layer feed, or just don't seem to metabolize it well.

Food grade charcoal powder. I make a point about food grade, because I have a nightmare that someone will grind up charcoal briquettes used for grilling outdoors (full of all kinds of nasties). Charcoal powder is used to absorb toxins. In the gut, as well as topically. Overdoing it may cause constipation. I use it for myself and for the ducks. Sometimes I add it to their drinking water if I have seen a duck eat something gross, or eat a mystery mushroom before I can stop her. It has been used to help ducks with botulism. There is a sticky on flushes that includes charcoal slurry recipe.

Benadryl cream. Same use as for people. I have used it on a duck's foot that got stung. Just a small pea or lentil sized dab on the foot, as it does get absorbed.

How did I do?

I am new to ducks as well. I have only had mine for 10 weeks, but I have had chickens for over a year.
These are the things I would reccomend:

Rubber Gloves--- For checking the vent, on an eggbound chicken.
Preperation H.--- For a duck that is egg-bound; This has already been mentioned but I feel that it is important.
Vaseline --- For the eggbound chicken, lubricates the glove.
Epson Salt--- Used in warm bath water to help eggbound chicken relax their abdomen.
Calcium Pills--- Calcium pills can be crushed up and mixed with water, or you can get gel caps and cut them to get the liquid out and syringe it to the duck. Calcium helps an eggbound duck pass an egg easier.
Sryinges--- For syringing sick ducks.
Poly-Vi-Sol--- For a duckling that has a vitamin deficiency which can cause Wry Neck Sydrome.
Antibitoic powder--- For a sick duck(ling).
Pedialyte--- To keep a sick duck hydrated. This can be sryinged, or mixed in with the drinking water.
Vet Rx--- a natural remedy that helps ducks that sound congested. This can be syringed, or mixed in with the drinking water.
Extra heat lamp bulbs--- incase your bulb goes out.
Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, it is a life saver!

This is a great idea! Kudos to you!

I recently started to stock mine with a cuticle clipper instead of a regular nail clipper. They're more scissor like in form and I can see what I'm doing a bit better.

Could I use tuck pads instead of preparation H? I'm not sure what is in preparation H but I know Tuck pads have witch hazel in them that reduces and soothes swelling

Jujubeans2008 said:

I am new to ducks as well.  I have only had mine for 10 weeks, but I have had chickens for over a year.

These are the things I would reccomend:


Rubber Gloves--- For checking the vent, on an eggbound chicken.

Preperation H.--- For a duck that is egg-bound; This has already been mentioned but I feel that it is important.

Vaseline --- For the eggbound chicken, lubricates the glove.

Epson Salt--- Used in warm bath water to help eggbound chicken relax their abdomen.

Calcium Pills--- Calcium pills can be crushed up and mixed with water, or you can get gel caps and cut them to get the liquid out and syringe it to the duck.  Calcium helps an eggbound duck pass an egg easier.

Sryinges--- For syringing sick ducks.

Poly-Vi-Sol--- For a duckling that has a vitamin deficiency which can cause Wry Neck Sydrome.

Antibitoic powder--- For a sick duck(ling).

Pedialyte--- To keep a sick duck hydrated.  This can be sryinged, or mixed in with the drinking water.

Vet Rx--- a natural remedy that helps ducks that sound congested.  This can be syringed, or mixed in with the drinking water.

Extra heat lamp bulbs--- incase your bulb goes out.

Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, it is a life saver!


This is a great idea!  Kudos to you!

Click to expand...

Is Poly-vi-sol a vitamin supplant?
I am getting a good vitimen supplant from my hatchery. So if that is what it is I won't worry about getting polly-vi-sol as well.

The antibiotic powder, what type of sick duckling? Like a cold?

The only types of antibacterial powder I have found are topical. For cuts and things like that.