Chicken "first aid kit"?

[Berritt]

What kinds of things do I need to have on hand for chicken illness/emergencies? I'm on the side of have it available just in case, so you don't need to rush out for any given supply. Antibiotics? Feather friendly bandages?

thanks!
Berritt

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Great idea for a thread! I'm curious about this myself, as it would be good to have things ready in case I need them.

I know I personally keep vet wrap, styptic powder, Silvadine, and Clavamox (antibiotic) on hand, and I have a number of medical supplies around. But that's because I'm a wildlife rehabber and I work on birds, so it's not much of a stretch to use these things on my own poultry. I would love more ideas on what I should keep ready, though, and put them somewhere where I know where the first aid box is at all times so I don't have to go crazy looking for stuff in case of an emergency.

 

[Berritt]

I found this and thought I'd share... looks like a wealth of good information.
http://www.broodyhen.co.uk/ket/fowlnotfoul/1staid.htm

Basic Chicken (and Bird) First Aid Kit

A plastic fishing tackle box or tool box makes a great AVIAN FIRST AID KIT.

BASIC EQUIPMENT for your avian FIRST AID KIT

*
a bird inventory, housing diagrams & care instructions [for others if you must leave suddenly in an emergency]
*
Vet's telephone number taped onto First Aid Kit box in a prominent position.
*
Torch (essential tool for finding injured birds which have escaped into the dark during a nocturnal predator raid).
*
Scissors (for cutting bandages and trimming feathers).
* Toenail clippers
*
Pliers or wire cutters for removing leg rings
*
Extra Leg Rings [to mark treated birds]
* Crop tube
* Feeding syringes in various sizes
*
Latex disposable gloves.
*
Pet carriers for transportation to Vet
*
Hospital or Quarantine cage
* Small plastic containers (eg: old photographic film containers and the like) for collecting feacal samples for testing.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES for your avian FIRST AID KIT

* TO STOP BLEEDING [minor cuts and peck wounds, broken pin feathers, pulled nails, broken beaks]
o wound powder;
o household flour



* TO PROTECT, APPLY PRESSURE OR COVER WOUNDS OR STABILIZE FRACTURES
o first aid tape-various sizes;
o gauze pads;
o roll of stretch gauze;
o plastic strips (cut from stout plastic containers) or clean soft wooden lollipop sticks for leg splints.



* TO CLEAN WOUNDS
o cotton buds;
o small soft brush to scrub wound;
o bottle of distilled water;
o Salt water - if you want to use salt water for treatment mix a heaping teaspoon of salt in a cup of fairly warm water.
o liquid antiseptic eg. iodine, and small container for dilution purposes (this prevents contamination of full bottle). If you use a product that must be diluted, follow manufacturer's directions, concentrated products can be a problem on sensitive skin, they can debride the wound and even dissolve sutures!
o hand pump wound spray, spray from an aerosol can may drive the bacteria deeper into the wound.



* TO REMOVE DEBRIS FROM EYE
o saline solution ;
o organic eye wash, drops or rinse

* ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTISEPTIC OINTMENT
o eg: Savlon, TCP, Witch Hazel
o Purple Spray such as that used on horses or farm animals.



* LUBRICANTS [for egg binding, prolapses]
o vaseline
o mineral oil
o olive oil or vegetable oil



* FLUID THEARPY FOR DEHYDRATION
o vitamins and electrolytes (human multivitamin tablets will suffice);
o Honey
o Bicarbonate of Soda (to add to water in hot weather to prevent acidosis)
o PolyAid



* NUTRITIONAL SUPPLIMENTS
o Poly-Aid



* PROBIOTICS
o Avi-Pro;
o Potent Brew



* MEDICATION FOR SHOCK
o Homeopathic Arnica
o Honey



* TO BREAK UP MUCUS OR CONGESTION
o apple cider vinegar [4 tsp per gal in water]
o Vicks vapor rub [dab on beak]​

 

[krstms]

What is a crop tube?

 

[Mule Chick]

I was just thinking about this same topic. Thanks for asking it.

 

[LynneP]

I like Berrit's list though I have not had a need yet, but may in the future.

My list is on this page-

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/user.php?action=editpost&id=4331&uid=7693