Building a chicken first aid kit

[Cryss]

So I had to go to TS for feed and decided it was a good idea to start collecting some of the things I've read about for first aid. Admittedly I got ovewhelmed and stopped with just a few bits. Are these items good to use? What do you recommend I add? How do I get things like antibiotics?

 

[Welshies]

You should have:

• Vitamins: Great for birds with a deficiency or absorption issue.
• Cotton balls: Great padding for splints, feet, etc
• Q-Tips: Great to clean out wounds etc.
• Dropper: Good for feeding chicks.
• Toothpicks and Popsicle Sticks: Great splints.
• Electrolytes: Great for chicks
• Ivermectin: Dewormer
• Lavender: This essential oil really calms birds down.
• Sock or two: Good to pull over a bird's head to calm him while you work on him.
• Stop Pick or Cayenne Pepper: Good in emergencies.
• Vet Wrap: Good for bandaging.
• Cohesive Tape: Great for bandaging.
• Bandaids: Good for correcting spraddle leg or toe issues.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would take back the Wazine and get SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer, which treats more types of chicken worms, rather than just round worms. Also tea tree oil can be harmful to chickens, so I would not use it full strength. The wound spray looks good, similar to Vetericyn, which is useful in wounds. For deep wounds, I would get a small bottle of chlorhexidene at Walmart first aid aisle. Betadine is a good substitute. Plain triple antibiotic (Neosporin) ointment is good for keeping wounds moist and helping to heal. Vet wrap is good to have with gauze squares for bumble foot surgery. Disposable scalpels with holder is also good for that. Tylan 50 antibiotic with a few syringes/needles is good in the event of a respiratory disease. Corid powder is also good for treatment of coccidiosis. A heat lamp may be good to have just in case of a very sick chicken who is chilling. Vitamins with electrolytes that include riboflavin are good, and I prefer Poultry Cell. A lot depends on how much you are planning to do, and how common those things are easily found. Antibiotics, medicines, and wormers can expire, so if you can get them in a hurry, no need to keep them at hand.

 

[Chullicken]

You should have:

• Vitamins: Great for birds with a deficiency or absorption issue.
• Cotton balls: Great padding for splints, feet, etc
• Q-Tips: Great to clean out wounds etc.
• Dropper: Good for feeding chicks.
• Toothpicks and Popsicle Sticks: Great splints.
• Electrolytes: Great for chicks
• Ivermectin: Dewormer
• Lavender: This essential oil really calms birds down.
• Sock or two: Good to pull over a bird's head to calm him while you work on him.
• Stop Pick or Cayenne Pepper: Good in emergencies.
• Vet Wrap: Good for bandaging.
• Cohesive Tape: Great for bandaging.
• Bandaids: Good for correcting spraddle leg or toe issues.

Awesome list, only thing I'd add is a pair of medical scissors.

 

[Welshies]

Awesome list, only thing I'd add is a pair of medical scissors.

Yes! Tweezers and scissors
Easy to forget.

 

[casportpony]

You should have:

• Ivermectin: Dewormer

Ivermectin is not a good de-wormer. Safeguard for goats like Eggcessive suggested would be a better choice.

 

[Eggcessive]

Saline is also a good thing to have to flush eyes or wounds. You can buy it or make your own. Add 1 teaspoonful of table salt to a quart/liter of water, and bring to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes covered, and then cool before storing in a clean canning jar.

 

[Welshies]

Ivermectin is not a good de-wormer. Safeguard for goats like Eggcessive suggested would be a better choice.

Interesting! Good to know. Ivermectin is all we have here in my local stores.

 

[casportpony]

Interesting! Good to know. Ivermectin is all we have here in my local stores.

No Safeguard or Panacur horse paste?

 

[Welshies]

No Safeguard or Panacur horse paste?

We have horse dewormers but we use Quest+. I know they are poisonous to dogs and cats, so I've never used them for poultry.
Mind you, I rarely deworm my flock. I just suggest Ivermectin to my neighbours.
I sure love BYC, you guys always teach me something new every day