If you were making a "common chicken problems" first aid kit, what would you put in it?

[juhesihcaa]

I am very, very new to chickens. I also live in a small town in a very rural area which means shops close fairly early and I was thinking it would be a good idea to have a bucket or container with various "common chicken problems" home remedies. I thought about going to the feed mill and looking at stuff but I'm sure there are things on the shelves that aren't really helpful to have on hand.

So, if you could put together a container of things that you have personally used to help your chickens, what would you put in there and what's it for? I have tried researching this but there is just so much info that it's hard to comb through.

And, for your trouble, have this hilarious picture of one of my RIR babies looking very perturbed with me for making sure she and her sisters have clean water

 

[GodLovesU]

I would at least get,scissors,neosporin,hydrogen peroxide,and maybe some bandages and medical tape.

 

[GodLovesU]

Blu-kite and iodine would be good also. if you want to be prepared for parasites,then poultry dust, petroleum jelly, and dewormer would be good.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

I would at least get,scissors,neosporin,hydrogen peroxide,and maybe some bandages and medical tape.

I would also add a bright light, and something small, thin, and neither dull nor sharp. perhaps a (clean obviously) spiral screw, that has been blunted slightly. this will come in handy if you ever need to make an air hole on/ assist an egg that is hatching strangely.

 

[Debbie292d]

I've raised/bred silkies for eight years so have accumulated some things I needed. Here's what's in the box I keep in the house for both chicks and chickens.

Vitamins: Poultry Cell, Nutra-drench, and Durvet

Probiotics: Hydro-Hen, Save-a-Chick, Durvet

Vetwrap - for splayed legs

Vetericyn, Neosporin - for if they get a sore.

Hand Sanitizer - I use before/after handling chicks or hatching eggs.


I've also got Ivermectin for scaly leg mites and Corid for coccidiosis, but that stuff has expiration dates and is expensive, so I wouldn't just buy it to have on hand.

 

[TOMTE]

Towels/rags, alcohol wipes, needlehead tweezers (and/or a tick remover— never know when you might find a tick on your chickens), syringe & tubing in case of needing to tube feed, a small but bright flashlight (or headlamp in case you dont have a free hand), dog nail clippers for nail trimming...

 

[crowe66]

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

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am very, very new to chickens. I also live in a small town in a very rural area which means shops close fairly early and I was thinking it would be a good idea to have a bucket or container with various "common chicken problems" home remedies. I thought about going to the feed mill and looking at stuff but I'm sure there are things on the shelves that aren't really helpful to have on hand.

So, if you could put together a container of things that you have personally used to help your chickens, what would you put in there and what's it for? I have tried researching this but there is just so much info that it's hard to comb through.

And, for your trouble, have this hilarious picture of one of my RIR babies looking very perturbed with me for making sure she and her sisters have clean water View attachment 3987157

Welcome To BYC

Congrats! Cute babies!

Over time you'll accumulate supplies and determine what best suits your needs.

Some basics I keep on hand are:

Calcium Citrate + D3 = use this when a pullet or hen is in crisis and is struggling with an egg or is suspected to be egg bound.

Corid = Used to treat Coccidiosis, mainly in chicks. Comes in Powdered or Liquid.

B-Complex, Vitamins/Electrolytes = Vitamins/electrolytes to give during crisis or at hatch. B-Complex, same reasons. You can also make your own sugar water solution to help during crisis (1tsp sugar to 1cup water, add a pinch of table salt and pinch of baking soda).

Wound care = Chlorhexidine and Triple antibiotic ointment will take care of most injuries/wounds. For eyes/facial injuries/wounds, use Saline or have a recipe on hand to make your own (google recipes). Triple antibiotic ointment can also be used on the face/around or in the eyes. Vet Wrap/Coban works well for wrapping feet/legs.

Permethrin = Poultry Dust and Spray. Treats lice/mites, use the dust on the birds, mix the spray to treat housing.

A dishpan = sort of self explanatory, but it comes in handy for numerous tasks.

Other things over time you may find handy are scissors, syringes, spray bottle(s), puppy pads, etc.

Most of all, have a plan. What will you do with a sick or injured bird - is there space to place a kennel/cage within the coop/run and it be secure? Do you have room in the garage/basement/house if they need to be separated out or brought inside.

Write down all dosing information, tips, instructions in notebook and keep them with your supplies, this way you are prepared and everything is in once place. It reduces stress.

Last of all, relax! It's good to think ahead, but don't get too caught up with worry. Enjoy your chicks, sit with them, observe behaviors so you can catch things early if necessary and most of all have fun!