Liquid Oral Medications
Many medications are most effective when given orally, especially when a bird is ill, because an ill bird is unlikely to drink enough medicated water. The oral administration of liquid medications in poultry and other fowl is very easy to do, and when giving small quantities it is very safe if the proper procedures are followed.
• How do catch my bird?
Chickens are easiest to catch at night when it dark, but a net might be required to catch other fowl, or chickens during daylight. Bass Pro Shops carry landing nets of different sizes that work very well.
Do not carry a bird by it's wings.
Never carry a bird upside-down by it's legs
• How do I know if I should be administering medication orally?
This depends upon various factors, such as what the medication is and how ill your bird is. In general, keep in mind that oral dosing is often the best way to control dosage and to ensure that your bird actually receives this dosage.
• What tools do I need to dose orally? Where do I get them?
You will need a small oral medication (needleless) syringe, suggested size 1 ml/cc, depending upon the dose being administered. They can be easily obtained online, veterinarian offices, your feed store, and pharmacies often carry oral dosing syringes for people. Larger 3 ml/cc syringes can be used, but the smaller 1 ml/cc is preferred. If you need to give more than 1 ml/cc, just prepare the number of syringes needed.
You will also need a scale. A kitchen scale works for most birds, but for larger birds, like waterfowl and peafowl, a bathroom scale might be better.
The easiest way to weigh a bird on a kitchen scale is to place the scale on your bathroom counter, turn the lights off, turn on the scale, then stand bird on the scale and take the reading.
When using a bathroom scale, weigh yourself holding the bird, then weigh just yourself. The difference between the two is the weight of your bird.
• How do I determine the dosage?
Dose depends on the medication, the weight of the bird, and what you are treating the bird for.
For dosing recommendations try here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/
• How do I do it, anyways?
Pick a quiet spot away from other animals, bright lights, loud sounds, etc.
Bird should be held in an upright position close to the body of the person holding it with both wings and legs restrained. Never hold bird on it's back. Doing this puts pressure on the birds heart and lungs.
Monitor you bird for signs of stress during this process. If your bird starts to panic, pant, or turn blue/purple, set the bird down and let it relax.
Until you master the technique it's best to have a helper to ensure the safety and proper medication of your bird.
1. Have your scale, medication(s), calculator and syringe(s) ready.
2. Catch and weigh your bird.
3. Calculate the dose and prepare your syringe(s).
4. Catch and restrain the bird.
5. Have your helper gently pry the bird’s beak open.
7. Be sure that you understand where the medication-filled syringe should be inserted.
The opening in the center at the back of the tongue is the entrance to the trachea, which leads to the lungs, nothing should ever go in there! If your bird accidentally aspirates a little, set it down so it can cough it out.
8. Gently insert the syringe alongside the tongue (bird's right hand side), and inject the medication slowly to ensure that it does not spill over into the trachea.
* Please note that images are courtesy of Craig Hopkins, http://www.hopkinslivestock.com/peafowl.htm
References:
http://avianmedicine.net/publication_cat/avian-medicine/
http://avianmedicine.net/publication_cat/clinical-avian-medicine/
https://lafeber.com/vet/oral-drug-administration-in-birds/
https://lafeber.com/vet/tube-feeding-birds/
Technical Procedures for the Avian Patient by Amy B. Johnson, CVT
Many medications are most effective when given orally, especially when a bird is ill, because an ill bird is unlikely to drink enough medicated water. The oral administration of liquid medications in poultry and other fowl is very easy to do, and when giving small quantities it is very safe if the proper procedures are followed.
• How do catch my bird?
Chickens are easiest to catch at night when it dark, but a net might be required to catch other fowl, or chickens during daylight. Bass Pro Shops carry landing nets of different sizes that work very well.
Do not carry a bird by it's wings.
Never carry a bird upside-down by it's legs
• How do I know if I should be administering medication orally?
This depends upon various factors, such as what the medication is and how ill your bird is. In general, keep in mind that oral dosing is often the best way to control dosage and to ensure that your bird actually receives this dosage.
• What tools do I need to dose orally? Where do I get them?
You will need a small oral medication (needleless) syringe, suggested size 1 ml/cc, depending upon the dose being administered. They can be easily obtained online, veterinarian offices, your feed store, and pharmacies often carry oral dosing syringes for people. Larger 3 ml/cc syringes can be used, but the smaller 1 ml/cc is preferred. If you need to give more than 1 ml/cc, just prepare the number of syringes needed.
You will also need a scale. A kitchen scale works for most birds, but for larger birds, like waterfowl and peafowl, a bathroom scale might be better.
The easiest way to weigh a bird on a kitchen scale is to place the scale on your bathroom counter, turn the lights off, turn on the scale, then stand bird on the scale and take the reading.
When using a bathroom scale, weigh yourself holding the bird, then weigh just yourself. The difference between the two is the weight of your bird.
• How do I determine the dosage?
Dose depends on the medication, the weight of the bird, and what you are treating the bird for.
For dosing recommendations try here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/
• How do I do it, anyways?
Pick a quiet spot away from other animals, bright lights, loud sounds, etc.
Bird should be held in an upright position close to the body of the person holding it with both wings and legs restrained. Never hold bird on it's back. Doing this puts pressure on the birds heart and lungs.
Monitor you bird for signs of stress during this process. If your bird starts to panic, pant, or turn blue/purple, set the bird down and let it relax.
Until you master the technique it's best to have a helper to ensure the safety and proper medication of your bird.
1. Have your scale, medication(s), calculator and syringe(s) ready.
2. Catch and weigh your bird.
3. Calculate the dose and prepare your syringe(s).
4. Catch and restrain the bird.
5. Have your helper gently pry the bird’s beak open.
7. Be sure that you understand where the medication-filled syringe should be inserted.
The opening in the center at the back of the tongue is the entrance to the trachea, which leads to the lungs, nothing should ever go in there! If your bird accidentally aspirates a little, set it down so it can cough it out.
8. Gently insert the syringe alongside the tongue (bird's right hand side), and inject the medication slowly to ensure that it does not spill over into the trachea.
* Please note that images are courtesy of Craig Hopkins, http://www.hopkinslivestock.com/peafowl.htm
References:
http://avianmedicine.net/publication_cat/avian-medicine/
http://avianmedicine.net/publication_cat/clinical-avian-medicine/
https://lafeber.com/vet/oral-drug-administration-in-birds/
https://lafeber.com/vet/tube-feeding-birds/
Technical Procedures for the Avian Patient by Amy B. Johnson, CVT
Last edited:
she makes it...
any update?
