Blu-Kote Warning

[ald]

Great thread, thanks all.
I have free range egg-layers that I treat like pets. Would the proscription against using Blu-Kote apply to egg-layers as well as meat chickens?
I've got one poor girl with a raw back. Partly my fault because I clipped her wing a year ago when she kept jumping a 6 foot fence. The end of the clipped wing created the bare spot and it got worse. I am using small amounts of Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) to dust the nesting boxes to kill any tiny bugs that might infest a chicken. Usually their dirt bathing is sufficient for their personal hygiene, but all kinds of mites and fleas can multiply in the coop and infest a chicken whose defenses are down.

 

[backyardcelia]

why is blu-kote blue? is it just to help remember/recognise who and where an injury is ?

 

[Rattie]

Hello gang! I have a pullet with goopy eyes - can I spray Blu-kote in her eyes even though the label says not to be used in eyes? Thank you!

I have noticed that a lot of people use or recommend Blu-Kote for chicken care, but I would not recommend it for use on chickens.  Like cats, chickens pick and preen at themselves and there is no way to stop them.  Also, the warnings for Blu-Kote specifically state not to use it on food producing animals.  Please be aware of these things before you choose whether or not to use Blu-Kote on your chickens.




Dr. Naylor Blu-Kote Caution(s)

For external veterinary use only. In case of serious burns, deep or puncture wounds, or if redness, irritation or swelling persists or increases, discontinue use and consult a veterinarian. Keep away from the eyes, mouth, nostrils, and mucous membranes. Do not spray in the eyes. Do not inhale. Do not use on cats. Prevent dogs from licking the treated area.


For animal use only.


Keep from the reach of children.


Use only as directed.

Warning(s)
Not for use on food producing animals.

 

[Eggcessive]

No! One of the main ingredients is alcohol. I don't think that would feel very good, and I'm not sure that the other ingredient would be good for the eye either. BluKote stains purple. Cleaning eyes with saline, and putting an eye ointment such as Terramycin would be best, but I have used plain neosporin ointment in chickens eyes before.

 

[Rattie]

Thank you! I had the same thought when I read the ingredients, but the manager at Southern States said it would work - thanks for the validation!

 

[Michael Apple]

I never understood what the obsession with Blu-Kote was on the forum. It serves no purpose except to dehydrate skin and dye feathers. No healing or repellant advantage with that product. If that is your goal, Blu-Kote is for you.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

While it is true that chickens preen themselves the activity in no way has any relationship to a house cat licking its fur. Chickens preen to distribute oil produced in the oil gland at the end of their rump. This oil helps keep their feathers interlocked, pliable, shiny, clean, and somewhat water proof.

No one is suggesting that we soak our chickens' in a vat of Blu-Koat or give a hen one thousand CCs of Blu-Kote intravenously. It's an anti bacterial topical swab or spray meant to be applied to flesh wounds. In a flock setting the purple color of this medicine hides or gets the red out of your chickens' bo-bo, so their flock mates aren't as aggressive or savage towards the wounded bird, thus giving it a chance to heal. I am sorely tempted to send a bottle of purple medicine and a shot glass to everybody who can't tell were their chickens' feathers ends and were their chicken begins

Like almost everything else in early 21st Century America, this purple medicine disclaimer is a court room strategy meant to protect the manufacturer when some spaced out zombie thinks, "Gee man like wouldn't my baby sister look cool with blue eyes?" Then this upstanding individual holds his sister's face in a bowl of Jensen Violet until she drowns.

Defense Lawyer: Didn't you read the label were it said, "...don't put this product in your eyes?"

Plaintiff: "Like yea man, but you know like I thought like they were just like kidding me man."

 

[nfwc1964]

"Use only as directed.
Warning(s)
Not for use on food producing animals."

I guess this could only be used on humans then?
Every animal I can possible think of produces food.

 

[bynana]

I had recently looked on line to see what to do about my hens eating or pecking the feathers off of one hen right in front of her tail.Blu-kote was suggested as a deterrent for the other hens, so I tried it. After I put it on the hen she ran around the coop like she was really hurting, and all the other chickens were suddenly very interested it pecking the blue patch on her back. I think the Blu-kote made the situation much worse. For now I have separated her from the rest of the girls.

 

[ladyearth]

I bought some a while back cause it was mentioned on this forum for use.Roo Roo pecked at the q. tip as I was putting it on Sis' wing..
I guess he caused her little area of scratch and feather loss. I tried to get him to drink a little water after he did so and thought the Valzaban taste too. the two hens drank some water when I offered it on their roost holding a flashlight so they could see the pan of water, before I bid them goodnite
I know I should make her a hen saver with wing protection. ...as I downloaded the pattern ...and have gobs of fabrics......
I hope Roo Roo is okay