Chicken First Aid Kit

[Jenniedot777]

To be prepared for emergencies ... what should be in my chicken first aid kit?

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Here is an AWESOME site that tells of many thing to put in your first aid kits!
http://www.thecapecoop.com/chicken-first-aid-kit/

Good luck!

 

[AlleysChicks]

Corid
Blue kote
Electrolytes
Gauze pads
Scissors
Antibacterial ointment

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Good question, and I've wondered the same thing.

Do you raise your flock with organic feed and treat them with holistic medicines? Or are you open to a combination of treatments, including antibiotics?

Raw honey (Manuka in particular) is number one in my emergency kit, and epson salts. I'm working on putting together a selection of homeopathic remedies to always have on hand.

Oregano oil, a homemade version of Nutri-Drench (working on the recipe), electrolytes.

Turmeric is amazing, powdered or as a tincture.

But it's important knowing how and when to use these medicines. I'm still trying to have a better understanding of this.

As for dry goods: stretchy, self-adhering bandages. If you buy the wide ones, you can cut them length wise and make 1" strips and save some money. The pre-cut bandages cost more.

Tweezers, sharp scissors with thin blades for cutting feathers close to the skin, a magnifying glass for examining mites, lice and deep inside wounds.

A kitchen towel in the kit is great for throwing over a chicken and keeping his wings tucked close when you pick him up. It makes it easier holding him safely so he doesn't flail and fall. They may be in shock and not moving at all, but I had to use this trick a couple of times. It really helped.

Plastic syringes the vet's office gives you when you need to medicate a small animal like a cat. You can use them to irrigate wounds and to administer fluids.

Something I need to do but keep putting off: Study up on how to properly do that without shooting liquid into their lungs. Someone said in the forums recently she was putting that off but knew knowing how to do it would be inevitable someday, and sure enough it was.

 

[sylviethecochin]

In addition to the things in the linked article:
Red-kote (for deeper wounds. Blu-Kote's a bit harsh)
Alcohol for sterilising equipment.
Tweezers
Poultry vitamins
Vitamin B complex
Permethrin spray or dust (for killing any parasites in the coop. The article recommends DE and vinegar, but DE's more of a control measure than a fix, and Permethrin is more effective than vinegar.)

 

[Sunshine Flock]

In addition to the things in the linked article:
Red-kote (for deeper wounds. Blu-Kote's a bit harsh)
Alcohol for sterilising equipment.
Tweezers
Poultry vitamins
Vitamin B complex
Permethrin spray or dust (for killing any parasites in the coop. The article recommends DE and vinegar, but DE's more of a control measure than a fix, and Permethrin is more effective than vinegar.)

What are B vitamins for? I've read about them before but never learned their purpose.

I'll add alcohol to my list. I always have it on hand, but I'll tuck a container of it into my a devoted kit so it'll be there when I need it.

Red-kote ... never heard of it before.

 

[sylviethecochin]

What are B vitamins for? I've read about them before but never learned their purpose.

I'll add alcohol to my list. I always have it on hand, but I'll tuck a container of it into my a devoted kit so it'll be there when I need it.

Red-kote ... never heard of it before.

B-vitamins are water-soluble and are more easily excreted than fat-soluble vitamins are. For that reason, they're usually the first thing of which a deficiency is shown. I always keep some on hand.

I also have riboflavin (B2) tablets for chicks and laying hens (helps with bloodflow while they're in the egg, solves curled toe in many cases, and gives chicks more energy.) I keep niacin tablets (B3--NOT flush-free) and occasionally mix them with the water I give my ducklings. Ducks need a lot of niacin.

Red-Kote's made by Dr. Naylor, just like Blu-Kote is, but is less popular as it's less harsh on bacteria. However, it's also less harsh on the chickens themselves.

 

[SkyBlueEmu]

Electrolytes
Nutridrench/ poly vi sol ( without iron)
Gauze
Vet wrap or self adhering tape
Bandages
Tweezers
Scissors
Poultry vitamins
Antibacterial ointment or sprays ( without lidocaine or anything ending in -caine)
Rubbing Alcohol/ sanitizer ( or vetericyn)
Disposable Gloves and protective face wear
Towels
Blue-kote
Aspirin
Hydrogen peroxide
Preparation H/petroleum jelly or coconut oil
Super glue to hold wounds together
Syringes or droppers

 

[Beaglemomof5]

On the aspirin- do you use the low dose or the regular 325 mg?

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

What kind of super glue? Do you mean the stuff that is called Super Glue. That can be used? That sounds so strange!