First aid kit

[Ccort]

I am preparing for my baby chicks arrival. What do you need for a chicken first sidnkit...from birth through adulthood? Also, I am reading that I should have "gro gel" on hand for arrival. Where do you find that and how much do they need?

 

[Jeanw]

Here’s a good list for first aid kit. I’m not familiar with gro gel. Wishing you the best for your chicks!

https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-first-aid-kit-sick-bay-be/

 

[Ccort]

Here’s a good list for first aid kit. I’m not familiar with gro gel. Wishing you the best for your chicks!

https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-first-aid-kit-sick-bay-be/

Thanks. I see "vitamins and electrolytes" mentioned but what form (powder, gel?) is recommended and will they actually drink water with it mixed in?

 

[Huntmaster]

For your chicks especially shipped chicks this is a very good product for first few days to get them some quick energy and gets them off to a good start. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/nutri-drench-poultry-4-oz?cm_vc=-10005

 

[Jeanw]

Nutridrench is a great vitamin and mineral supplement to have on hand, it’s a liquid that can be added to the waterer or administered directly to a very sick bird if needed. Things like pedialyte or sugar free gatorade are good electrolytes. There are powdered vitamins that can be dissolved in their water or sprinkled on food. I’ve never had a problem with them not drinking it. But you may have a bird too sick to drink on their own and would need you to help them drink it. It all depends on what situation your bird is having. There is so much helpful info on this forum, it just takes time to do the research. Id say make sure your chicks have a good quality chick feed, chick grit, clean water and brooder, safe heat source, and hopefully you won’t need these things right away. Keep an eye on them, they should be alert and active during the day, eating, drinking and pooping. If not, come back to the forum and post the symptoms and someone will help you.

 

[Ccort]

Nutridrench is a great vitamin and mineral supplement to have on hand, it’s a liquid that can be added to the waterer or administered directly to a very sick bird if needed. Things like pedialyte or sugar free gatorade are good electrolytes. There are powdered vitamins that can be dissolved in their water or sprinkled on food. I’ve never had a problem with them not drinking it. But you may have a bird too sick to drink on their own and would need you to help them drink it. It all depends on what situation your bird is having. There is so much helpful info on this forum, it just takes time to do the research. Id say make sure your chicks have a good quality chick feed, chick grit, clean water and brooder, safe heat source, and hopefully you won’t need these things right away. Keep an eye on them, they should be alert and active during the day, eating, drinking and pooping. If not, come back to the forum and post the symptoms and someone will help you.

Wonderful. Thank you. This is likely a silly question but something I've wondered...
I know they need to stay warm but see so many photos of people handling them a lot. Will ah doing potentially harm them during that first week or two due to chills?

 

[Huntmaster]

Wonderful. Thank you. This is likely a silly question but something I've wondered...
I know they need to stay warm but see so many photos of people handling them a lot. Will ah doing potentially harm them during that first week or two due to chills?

Are you going to be brooding them indoors or in a warm ambient temp?

 

[Ccort]

Are you going to be brooding them indoors or in a warm ambient temp?

Indoors. In a dog crate and I bought the Brinsea safety heating plate.

 

[cherrynberry]

The list is from most important to least important.

1.) Liquid Corid (This is for the treatment of coccidiosis)
2.) Vetericyn, neosporin with NO pain killer, and or honey (Vetericyn and ORIGINAL neosporin are both for wound care. Vetericyn is more of an antibacterial spray. ORIGINAL neosporin is more of an antibacterial cream. Honey is optional here, it helps wounds recover, but is not as great on large wounds, only for small scrapes, its also bad because it attracts flies).
3.) Valbezen, Safeguard, etc. (Safeguard and Valbezen are both chicken dewormers. They may say "for goats, sheep, cattle," but they are used for chickens off label).
4.) Vaseline/petroleum jelly (Treatment for scaly leg mites)
5.) Tweezers (for picking off maggots from a bird with flystrike).
6.) Monistat 7 (This is an anti fungal treatment for sour crop).
7.) Coconut oil (For cooking for chickens and for impacted crop).
8.) Dog crate and dog pads (This is for separating sick birds).
9.) Extra syringes (To give medications orally with).
10.) Rooster booster, save-a-chick electrolytes, etc. (Immune booster/supplement).
11.) Towels, blow dryer, scissors, etc. (For washing birds).

 

[Jeanw]

There are no silly questions lol! I think handling them is good if they will be pets. If a chick is with their hen mom they won’t have heat on them all them time and they’ll go to mom when they need warmth. I think holding them is a-ok, and you probably won’t be able to resist picking them up, they’re so cute! As @Huntmaster mentioned, if you’re brooding them outside you will want to be careful in that regard. I prefer the heating plate to a heat lamp/bulb. How many chicks will you receive?