Likely hood of losing a chick?

[junebuggena]

Live in Depauville,NY. They will be chicks, sorry for referring to them as hens. They will be four days old or younger depending on how long it takes to ship to the store. I still have not found out where the people at True Value are getting them. I have a brooder I built here at home and they will be in my spare bedroom until old enough to go out to the coop and free range( well they have my fenced in 1 acre backyard). Also, do y'all have any suggestions as to what I should put in a Hen/Chic first aid kit?

Vitamin and electrolyte mix, something like Blu-Kote to apply over wounds, and Corid, for coccidia treatment.

 

[PirateGirl]

also, I lost one of 5 pullets at about 8 weeks of age

 

[Familyman0803]

Thank you all for the advice. I was the one who wanted chicks three years ago and now I think my Wife is even more excited than even I am! I didn't think it possible!Next Thursday and we will be bringing them too there new home.

 

[Familyman0803]

What is the garlic for?

 

[Familyman0803]

Also, should I add Apple Cider Vinegar to the chicks water as well as when they are older?

 

[Familyman0803]

Also, will petroleum jelly work for wounds

 

[junebuggena]

What is the garlic for?

Some think it helps prevent coccidia. No actual evidence to support it's effectiveness.

Also, should I add Apple Cider Vinegar to the chicks water as well as when they are older?

Apple Cider Vinegar is thought to help the immune system and prevent sour crop. Again, no actual evidence backs up these claims.

 

[junebuggena]

Also, will petroleum jelly work for wounds

Petroleum jelly is not for wound treatment. A triple antibiotic cream, without pain relief is much more effect. Or Blu-Kote, since that also helps to discourage other birds from picking at the wound.

 

[PirateGirl]

These are things that may be good to have on hand to help various ailments naturally before resorting to antibiotics. OP had asked about chicken first aid cabinet. These are not things I give all my chicks daily, but at times of stress or showing first signs of illness, or if one is sick and I want to give the others a leg up and hope they don't get sick as well but don't want to medicate all if it isn't necessary.

ACV is thought to possible help the digestive track (it needs to be the raw/unfiltered kind) and promote growth of good bacteria in the digestive system and can be added in small amounts to the water, not an exact science, but a teaspoon per gallon is thought to be sufficient

Garlic is often used as a booster to the immune system in general and a crushed clove can be added in the waterer as well

oregano can be added in with food to potentially help with respiratory issues

probiotics in general can give your chickens a leg up with digestion, I've heard of people offering yogurt (plain greek), or I like to ferment my food

molasses can be added in water at times of stress or if a chicken is not eating well (just a teaspoon per gallon), or honey, or raw sugar, but any of these things might help perk up a chicken that's a little under the weather, these are things you might have in your cabinet at home you can give a chicken a sugar water solution if you can't run out and buy special electrolyte powder or something of that nature, the hope is once they feel a little better they will move on to eating more regular food on their own and regain some strength, but sugar water can be a quick pick me up

perhaps others with more experience have more ideas of things they give their chickens out of their own refrigerator/cabinet to give them a little boost from time to time, I know I'm always interested in things I can do easily to help with the health of my flock. There is nowhere near my home to buy chicken supplies and meds so if I can give them something out of my fridge in the mean time that might help them I will.

 

[Familyman0803]

I was thinking the petroleum jelly would keep things such as random insects out of wounds that may occur. I think I read it somewhere, not sure where though!