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Welcome to Chick Quicks, a series that chronicles the lessons I've learned as a chicken keeper — all in 5 minutes or less!

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Warning: I am not a medical professional. While the information presented is accurate to the best of my ability, please consult your veterinarian, or the BYC community at large, if you have doubts or questions.

It's tricky to assemble your 1st first-aid kit. After all, you've never had chickens before. You're taking someone else at their word on what supplies you'll need, and there's inconsistencies from one list to the next. Will my kit be "the one" to inspire all kits? No. But I'll show you the products I've settled on after two seasons of playing chicken nurse.
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My first-aid tote(s), which double as soaking bins​

The first thing you'll notice is that my kit is actually a double-decker tote, filled to the brim. Why so much stuff?
  • Chickens have A LOT of medical issues. Injuries, reproductive problems, and their propensity to collect parasites like Pokemon will forever keep you on your toes.
  • It's better to be overprepared than under. Having the right product, at the ready, can make the difference between life and death.
  • Many of these supplies are infrequent purchases that will last for years. Invest upfront, and you'll be good to go.
How to Use This Inventory

My supplies will be split into several sections that use tables.
  • VIPs (Very Important Products) will be marked with 🐝🐝🐝. As in, BE ready with them in your kit! They're often needed in emergency situations and could be slow to procure.
  • The Use Case columns will sometimes contain links. Click, and you'll be brought to a post where that product is being recommended or used for that circumstance.
  • Dosing will contain a mix of imperial (ounces, pounds, and US gallons), metric (liters, milliliters), and baking units (tablespoons, teaspoons) in an attempt at accessibility.
  • Check Notes for more information on these products and their use.
Water Supplements

Meant for occasional use. Be sure to follow the package directions, and always offer alongside plain water.

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ProductUse CaseDosingNotes
Rooster Booster
Poultry Cell		1oz (30mL) per gallon of water
Small Batch: 0.5 tablespoons (7.5mL) per 32oz (1L) of water
  • can be used every 2-3 days for up to a week
Poultry Nutri-Drench
🐝🐝🐝		Chicks: 1-2 drops direct, or 1oz (30mL) per 32oz (1L) of water
Adults: 1mL direct per 3lbs of body weight
  • For lethargy, offer a direct dose 1-2 times a day.
  • For shipping stress, offer diluted mixture on day of arrival.
Sav-A-Chick
Probiotic		1 packet per gallon of water
Small Batch: 1/4 packet per 32oz (1L) of water
  • can be used every other day
Sav-A-Chick
Electrolyte
🐝🐝🐝		1 packet per gallon of water
Small Batch: 1/4 packet per 32oz (1L) of water
  • could substitute Gatorade or Pedialyte
  • Due to the salt content, I limit use to once a week (when needed).

Oral Treatments

Some of the most important products you'll need to treat ailments. Mind the 🐝🐝🐝!

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ProductUse CaseDosingNotes
Corid (amprolium)
20% Powder or 9.6% Liquid
🐝🐝🐝		Powder: 1.5 teaspoons per gallon of water
Liquid: 2 teaspoons (10mL) per gallon of water
Small Batch Liquid: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5mL) per 32oz (1L) of water
  • use as the sole source of drinking water for 5-7 days
  • treat the entire flock
  • no egg withdrawal
Calcium Citrate +
Vitamin D3
🐝🐝🐝		300-600mg
(stick to 300mg for bantams)
  • give once daily for 7 days
  • calcium citrate is preferred over calcium carbonate, as it absorbs faster
Pill Crusher +
Pill Splitter
  • breaking down caplets/tablets
  • splitting caplets/tablets
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Needle-less Syringes
1 mL
🐝🐝🐝
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Parasites

Because the creepy-crawlies are inevitable. Here's what's made it into my kit so far. Note: I do not preemptively stock dewormer, as different products are needed to treat different types of worms.

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ProductUse CaseDosingNotes
Elector PSP (spinosad)2.0-2.5 teaspoons (10-12mL) per gallon of water, applied topically and/or inside the coop
  • 10-minute soak can be attempted for burrowing mites
  • can be repeated in 14 days
  • no egg withdrawal
Ivermectin
5mg per mL POUR-ON
This is NOT 1% Ivermectin Injectable. For that dosing, click here.		Maximum Dose: 0.09mL per pound of body weight, applied to skin at back of neck
Minimum Dose: 0.05mL per pound of body weight, applied to skin at back of neck
Looking for details on Permethrin Dust? Click here.​

The Classics

All the traditional supplies that come to mind when you think of first aid.

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ProductUse CaseNotes
Self Adhesive Bandage
🐝🐝🐝
  • wrapping wounds
  • neutral color preferred to avoid picking by flockmates
Medical Tape
for Sensitive Skin.
  • alternative: masking tape
Epsom Salt
  • not recommended for chickens in distress​
Hydrocortisone
1% Ointment
  • alternative: hemorrhoid cream
Personal Lubricant
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Multi-Purpose Balm or Ointment
  • keeps tissues moist
  • protects wounds
  • options: Bag Balm and Manna Pro Corona Ointment
Disposable Gloves
  • 💩🖐️😬
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Scale
  • monitoring weight for health or medical dosing
  • find a model with multiple units of measure (e.g. gram, kg, lb, oz)
Styptic Powder
🐝🐝🐝
  • stops bleeding from broken beaks, feathers, or nails
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Triple Antibiotic Ointment
  • prevents or treats infection from open wounds
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Eye Wash
  • flushes debris
  • preps the eye for medication
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Vetericyn
Poultry Care Spray
  • cleans and flushes wounds
  • antibiotic-free
  • won't sting
  • the chicken equivalent of "put some windex on it"
Vetericyn
Ophthalmic Gel
  • reduces inflammation, itching, and pain in the eyes
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Chicken Saddles
  • protects the back feathers due to injuries, molts, or over-mating
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Cat Nail Clippers
  • clipping overgrown nails
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Safety Scissors
  • trimming back crests to preserve eyesight
  • trimming butt feathers that collect droppings
  • disinfect scissors between use (or buy separate pairs for face/butt)
Tweezers
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Soaking Bins
(not shown)
  • The IKEA SALMA totes I use to house my first-aid supplies double as soaking bins.

That's everything I've got! Shout out to the folks in Ask BYC that helped clarify units of measurement. You guys are the best.

Now, what about you? What's in your first-aid kit?

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Thanks for reading! If you have questions or comments, leave them below. I'm always happy to chat. Up next is Episode 7: How to Syringe Feed a Chick.

Missed an episode? Head over to Chick Quicks Headquarters!
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