I didn't double check this info, but it seems reliable and the idea of having all your supplies in one space seems like something I should already be doing (even though I'm not). This article gave good common sense advice that is easy to follow and will help protect your chickens in case of illness or injury. Two thumbs up!
Excellent list of first aid items to have on hand! I like the idea of posting expiry dates so that you know when something will need to be replaced. One thing I’ve added to my kit is Blu-kote. It’s an inexpensive antiseptic spray. The main ingredient is gentian violet so it does stain feathers but it works the same as some of the pricier antiseptic sprays. Terramycin is another go to especially for eye injuries. Great article and information! Thank you for sharing this!
This is a definite 10 it deserves double honor. This is knowledgeable, practical, inexpensive, involving things we should already have in our own first aid kits, shows multi purposes for things we use, but who would of thought for chickens? And most of all it is life saving for everyone, I can imagine a Vet saying, "Give her to aspirins, and call me in the morning."
This article is great, I need to pick up some supplies for them today and thought what else might I need, this is a great list and breaks everything down. Love the idea of keeping it all organized in a tool kit. Thanks so much for assembling this list. A newbie like me appreciates it
I actually read this article a few months ago, after which I began accumulating the items listed here, and even a few other things.
I am so glad, too, because I have had to use some of the items in my First Aid kit several times already.
This helped to remind me that I need to check the expiration dates in my emergency kit, thanks!
I also have a suggestion for the case of an emergency evacuation (such as approaching wildfire) when you don’t have time to set up travel carriers & cages. Keep pillowcases and rubber bands or hair ties in the bottom of the emergency kit. If you have to cut & run RIGHT NOW- put each bird in a pillowcase & twist top then wrap with the rubber band. In addition all my travel carriers, normally disassembled/collapsed for storage, are stacked just inside the shed door with a bag full of dishes on top & sealed buckets of feed right next to them. It takes a few seconds to throw this in the back of the truck. Fortunately I have only had to do this once in 30 years, but glad I had the system set up. If I had taken any longer the fire crews would have forced me out & to hell with the birds?
As it was all we had was ruffled feathers & as soon as we reached a safe area were able to quickly set up the carriers & get the birds settled.
I keep the pillowcases in sealed ziplocks so unwanted pests don’t move in & replace the bag of rubber bands about every 2 years. I hope I don’t ever have to do this again, but it’s ready just in case
If you're like me, you keep meaning to set up a chicken emergency kit, and have probably gathered a few things loosely. Follow this article, and you will have a useful, findable, emergency kit. You can tweak it as to personal preference, but this is a really great start. Do it!