First Aid Kit for chickens

[QIA]

Is there a store online or brick/mortar that already has most of what is needed for a first aid kit? I really want to try to keep costs to a minimum but I know I'll need one. I hate to buy seperate this and that and breaking the bank TIA

 

[annaBsChick]

Here is a useful infographic on the subject by PoultryDVM - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/poultry-keeping-first-aid-supply-list

 

[QIA]

Here is a useful infographic on the subject by PoultryDVM - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/poultry-keeping-first-aid-supply-list

Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @QIA

You can also build your kit over time as needed. Having a few basic supplies on hand is helpful though. Some things you may already have in your own "human" first aid kit.

First of all - have a plan on what you will do with a sick or injured bird - where will you keep it? Having spare housing, a large tote, box or wire dog kennel all work - but thinking about what you will actually "do" helps one not to panic. Sometimes a chicken may need to be separated completely so they have specialized care - they may need to be protected from weather and cold. Other times, a kennel set up in the run may be sufficient - just a few things to work through in your mind before something happens

Place your supplies in a small tote or container - this keeps them all together and handy.
A few things on hand that I would recommend:

• a dish pan - good for soaking feet, cleaning butts, etc. - I have a dish pan just for chickens - it stays outside
  
• Gloves and mask - these are a given - please wear a mask when you clean your chicken coop. Disposable are good, but since I use one a lot - I invested in a respirator type mask - you don't need to be breathing in all that dust.
  
• triple antibiotic ointment (like plain Neosporin or store brand)
  
• epsom salts - this can be used for a number of things
  
• small sharp pair of scissors
• a few syringes
• poultry vitamins

As you go a long, build your kit to suit your needs. Also check out some good common sense articles and tips by The Chicken Chick and Terry Golson

 

[Pork Pie]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit.1150128/

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1149741/topic-of-the-week-emergency-first-aid-preparedness

 

[QIA]

Hi @QIA

You can also build your kit over time as needed. Having a few basic supplies on hand is helpful though. Some things you may already have in your own "human" first aid kit.

First of all - have a plan on what you will do with a sick or injured bird - where will you keep it? Having spare housing, a large tote, box or wire dog kennel all work - but thinking about what you will actually "do" helps one not to panic. Sometimes a chicken may need to be separated completely so they have specialized care - they may need to be protected from weather and cold. Other times, a kennel set up in the run may be sufficient - just a few things to work through in your mind before something happens

Place your supplies in a small tote or container - this keeps them all together and handy.
A few things on hand that I would recommend:

• a dish pan - good for soaking feet, cleaning butts, etc. - I have a dish pan just for chickens - it stays outside
  
• Gloves and mask - these are a given - please wear a mask when you clean your chicken coop. Disposable are good, but since I use one a lot - I invested in a respirator type mask - you don't need to be breathing in all that dust.
  
• triple antibiotic ointment (like plain Neosporin or store brand)
  
• epsom salts - this can be used for a number of things
  
• small sharp pair of scissors
• a few syringes
• poultry vitamins

As you go a long, build your kit to suit your needs. Also check out some good common sense articles and tips by The Chicken Chick and Terry Golson

Thank you! I needed some sort of guide line. I've read a few that suggested this & that and I know that I'll need more as I go but I couldn't afford to spend oodles & oodles right this minute. I'll be going to the dollar store for bandages and some medications for my chickie poohs. Really don't think I'll need that much to start off with, with 4 soon to be hens. Anyway I'll be back here and there....Thanks again for everyones help!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you! I needed some sort of guide line. I've read a few that suggested this & that and I know that I'll need more as I go but I couldn't afford to spend oodles & oodles right this minute. I'll be going to the dollar store for bandages and some medications for my chickie poohs. Really don't think I'll need that much to start off with, with 4 soon to be hens. Anyway I'll be back here and there....Thanks again for everyones help!

The Dollar Tree or $1.00 store is a great place to start. Sometimes you can luck up on large dish pans or something similar, vet wrap, sterile gauze pads, etc. I also found some small-ish bowls that I put "wet treats" in (watermelon scooped out, sliced grapes, etc.) that are very hard to turn over - chickens step into and turn over lots of things, but these bowls just wobble but don't turn. I wish I had bought more to stash for later.

Congratulations on your future hens! You're already doing great - getting prepared and doing some reading is always helpful - but chickens are a lifetime of learning, I think you will have fun with them. Best of luck to you.

 

[QIA]

The Dollar Tree or $1.00 store is a great place to start. Sometimes you can luck up on large dish pans or something similar, vet wrap, sterile gauze pads, etc. I also found some small-ish bowls that I put "wet treats" in (watermelon scooped out, sliced grapes, etc.) that are very hard to turn over - chickens step into and turn over lots of things, but these bowls just wobble but don't turn. I wish I had bought more to stash for later.

Congratulations on your future hens! You're already doing great - getting prepared and doing some reading is always helpful - but chickens are a lifetime of learning, I think you will have fun with them. Best of luck to you.

Yep, got one here in town. Getting my new girlfriends tomorrow morning. Heck LIFE alone is a lifetime of learning. If you're not learning then you're wasting away!