Great tip from my vet for giving chickens meds

[lillyahoo]

I had a rooster who was on antibiotics for a couple of weeks after a dog attack.
When the vet gave me the pills, I was concerned over how to make him eat them, as they were rather large.
The vet recommended cutting them into pea-sized pieces and putting each inside a bit of butter.
Which sounded very strange, but it really worked!
I've since used this technique anytime I'm giving pills, liquid medicine, calcium, etc.
I have no idea why chickens immediately scarf down butter, but it's an easy way to get them to take their meds!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Good info! My vet told me to just hold it out or drop it in front of the hen and she would eat it...

 

[Tonyroo]

Good info! My vet told me to just hold it out or drop it in front of the hen and she would eat it...
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Ok that was hilarious.

 

[lillyahoo]

Good info! My vet told me to just hold it out or drop it in front of the hen and she would eat it...
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Sounds like your chickens are like mine - too smart for that!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

That’s a good idea! I personally just hold their beak open and pop it in.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

That’s a good idea! I personally just hold their beak open and pop it in.

I suppose it would depend on whether it’s a capsule or solid pill thingy. I can’t think of the name.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Sounds like your chickens are like mine - too smart for that!

I wouldn't go so far as to call Sparkles smart...maybe she's smarter than I give her credit for haha. I am definitely trying the butter next time I have to give a chicken a pill though!

 

[Ccort]

I know this thread is a few months old but ..how would you do that with liquid meds? Anyone else have tips to trick theirs into taking the liquid? I am really struggling to give liquid meds. I've watched the videos and I know to shove the syringe down their throats but that's not easy, hard to witness and rather traumatic for my pullet.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I had a rooster who was on antibiotics for a couple of weeks after a dog attack.
When the vet gave me the pills, I was concerned over how to make him eat them, as they were rather large.
The vet recommended cutting them into pea-sized pieces and putting each inside a bit of butter.
Which sounded very strange, but it really worked!
I've since used this technique anytime I'm giving pills, liquid medicine, calcium, etc.
I have no idea why chickens immediately scarf down butter, but it's an easy way to get them to take their meds!

I use plain yogurt. Gives them probiotics at the same time!

 

[Finnie]

I know this thread is a few months old but ..how would you do that with liquid meds? Anyone else have tips to trick theirs into taking the liquid? I am really struggling to give liquid meds. I've watched the videos and I know to shove the syringe down their throats but that's not easy, hard to witness and rather traumatic for my pullet.

You can soak the liquid into a piece of bread and feed it that way. But you have to make sure only the correct chicken gets the bread. And that she eats the whole thing.