Clear colorless iodine?

[CayugaJana]

I’ve seen clear colorless iodine being used in a lot of situations on here to clean wounds on the skin. Is there a reason this is preferred over regular iodine solutions that are brownish? Is it just for visibility’s sake or trying not to discolor the feathers? Or does it have a specific beneficial purpose?

 

[CarleeAnn]

I remember reading for birds that they use clear medications on skin so other birds don’t notice and pick at it. Ill try to find something to support this! Haha

 

[CayugaJana]

I remember reading for birds that they use clear medications on skin so other birds don’t notice and pick at it. Ill try to find something to support this! Haha

That had crossed my mind but no one had specifically said so I was unsure. We always have the brown iodine at home as we use it all the time. But I didn’t want to put it on my ducks if it was a no-no. A lot of my ducks are black so the color won’t matter as much if that’s just the reason. But I can see it being a problem for my Pekin.

 

[CarleeAnn]

I’m having a hard time finding anything, but I’m not sure if I’m searching very well... I did find that “clear” iodine is in fact potassium iodine- so it does have a different chemical makeup, so it may be more than just color protection. Let’s wait for someone else to pitch in.

 

[CayugaJana]

When Skipper, my male cayuga was a duckling I put a tiny amount of white fingernail polish on the tip of his down on the back of his neck. I wanted to be able to tell him apart from the girls and learn their individual behaviors. But the others seen the white polish and picked at it until all the feathers were plucked in that one spot. I felt like a big boob. Poor fella.

 

[onaharley]

Tagging @Miss Lydia i believe she can help with one!

 

[casportpony]

You can use the brown solution on any bird. I use it for cleaning wounds. I'm curious as to why people recommend the clear iodine for treating bumblefoot.

FWIW, I think everyone should have a bottle of 10% Iodine in their first aid kit.

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is where I read about the clear iodine https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-new-ideas-on-treatment-with-pictures.807777/

When my first chicken came down with bumble I used reg iodine and it took quite a while to get it cleared up soaking too then I read this about the clear and the ammonia in the clear that helps bring the bumble to the surface quicker so I tried it on another hen who had bumble on both feet. It worked so much quicker being able to get the scabs off and the core out. I have only had to treat 2 chickens but I'd think it would work on other poultry too.

 

[CayugaJana]

This is where I read about the clear iodine https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-new-ideas-on-treatment-with-pictures.807777/

When my first chicken came down with bumble I used reg iodine and it took quite a while to get it cleared up soaking too then I read this about the clear and the ammonia in the clear that helps bring the bumble to the surface quicker so I tried it on another hen who had bumble on both feet. It worked so much quicker being able to get the scabs off and the core out. I have only had to treat 2 chickens but I'd think it would work on other poultry too.

Thanks Miss Lydia! I have a small sprayer that I will put my iodine in so I can apply it easier. Now I know I can use the brown for regular all purpose antiseptic. I’ll look at Walmart and Walgreens next time to see what the ingredient labels have on them. It makes sense that different compounds mixed with iodine can work better or worse. Just like the mixtures of calcium (ie. calcium carbonate, citrate) have different absorption rates for use in egg laying.

 

[CayugaJana]

So I label shopped today at Walmart and whaddya know, there is ammonia in the inactive ingredient list for the colorless iodine. So I bought it. I’ll have to use it on boo boos in the house and see if I can tell a difference!