Emergency supplies

[elemichele]

Hi! I am curious to what kind of supplies/medications etc. you keep on hand and or what you wish you had in the past? I have a very small flock (was 5 now 3) and I do not have a vet in the area that is knowledgeable with chickens and will have to do any kind of care myself. I have had my chickens for three years and never had any problems with health but lately I am and I feel very unprepared! Thanks for any insight.

 

[Mehjr10]

Here is a link of meds for treating chicken ailments.. https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/medicine-chart.

I have on hand the following, but I am by far an expert and I am sure some can add to the list.

Tylan 50
Procain - for bumblefoot.
la-200
Valbezan
Ivermec
Vet Wrap
Triple atibotic, neosporin without pain killer.
Soluable electrolytes.
Duramycin powder.

Looks like a long list now that I typed it..

Hope it helps and if some of the more experienced posters have additional Advice, share.

 

[purpletree23]

If I can add my 2 cents:

Sterile saline in a spray can. You can wash out wounds very easily. CVS caries it. Not expensive.
Blood stop powder
A skin antiseptic cleaner like Betadyne. The iodine colored skin cleaner that is used before surgery in humans. Dilute it 1 part to 3 parts water and (and I hope you never need it) use a clean piece of gauze to dab on the solution after rinsing out any debris with the sterile saline.
If you want to be prepared for bumble foot you can order scalpels through Jeffers Supply
If you have a gaping wound Jeffers also has sutures.
Blu Kote is good for superficial wounds or chickens pecking at each other.
A few clean old towels and wash cloths in case you have to wrap up a distressed hen so you can treat if hurt.
Non stick gauze.
First aid tape.
A bottle of your favorite adult beverage so you can calm down after the emergency.

Keep it all in an old duffel bag so you have it handy.

Everyone should also have a human first aid bag ready to go in case of emergency or disaster.

 

[Mehjr10]

Good Add Purpeltree23,

I have all of those things in the cabinet also, It was a bit late last night and I think I had gotten to the part after the first aid tape. Non Emergency Medicinal purposes of course.

Also some Syringes with needles, I have some 3ml with 18 and 20 Ga needles and some 1ml insulin syringes.. But those can be hard to get meds into and out of .. But are handy on small birds.

 

[seminolewind]

No "caine" anything. It will kill a chicken.

I think above are good lists of things.

I always have corid, Tylan, and Penicillin injectable here. And needles and syringes I got from a vet supply. Bandages, tape,
Penicillin is thick and needs at least a 23 gage needle.

 

[Mehjr10]

The Procaine is safe on Chickens. At least according to the below listing and the few I have had to treat Bumble foot with have not died yet.

From the List that I posted a link to.

Procaine Penicillin G / Procaine Benzylpenicillin (intermediate-acting; includes numbing agent called Procaine that slows absorption)

Injectible liquid
Pro-Pen-G, Durvet Pen Aqueous, others

Dura-Pen (Procaine combined with Benzathine)
Many feed stores (*Injectible is kept in store's refrigerator with vaccines), vets $9-$26
Penicillins, Benzylpenicillins Bumblefoot, Wounds, Fowl Cholera, Necrotic Enteritis, Ulcerative Enteritis, some strains of Ornithobacterium Rhinotracheale (ORT), Erisipelas (used along with Benzathine Pen) Comparison to other Penicillins: Medium-low potency effect; active for medium amount of time in bird's sytem (Procaine slows absorption); Procaine is poorly soluble so best given by injection.
*Avoid giving acidic foods or supplements if dosing orally.
*In feed, general dose is 100-300 mg/day (This recommendation needs to be double-checked).
? For Cholera: (?3 ccs by mouth?) Chronic problems may require long- term or periodic treatments.
? For Necrotic Enteiritis: 1,500,000 u/gal water for 5 days
For wounds & Bumblefoot: 1/4 to 1/2 cc daily for 5-7 days subcutaneous or in breast muscle.
*See special notes on "Treating with Penicillin"

 

[elemichele]

Thanks everyone! I have a few books but all the medical supplies listed just seemed overwhelming to accumulate and a little over the top! I was just looking for the basics and to see what supplies people actually have on hand or have had to use. I am an RN but feel surprisingly uneasy when it comes to caring for my hens!

 

[ottbjumper06]

i am also feeling the same way. after losing a 3 day old chick and having a 3 week old one injured on the same day, it has become clear that my beginner's luck has run out!
Having this website is handy to have around, but with all of the differing opinions does anyone know of a book or two that has a first aid kit list that they think is good?

 

[Mehjr10]

There Probably is a book somewhere but the items that we mentioned are items that we have had uses for in the past. The Basics would be for wound care and worming for me. The meds can always be gotten as needed.