Hi guys,
Last night, way too late, I posted a thread about first aid kit contents. I really probably should have waited until morning to post it, because it's had very little traffic. Though it says 104 views, so not sure if nobody has anything to say about it or if it counts my views, but I digress.
I'm particularly interested in parsing out the differences in the different medications/antibiotics/antifungals/disinfectants/wound ointments/sprays.
My original thread is here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-first-aid-kit.1298269/#post-21133178
But at this point there are so many products it's quite overwhelming. I've visited the thread casportpony started (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit-updated-2-16-2019.1150128/), but it isn't quite what I need. It helped for sure, but I'm still uncertain about a lot of things.
So, let my battery of questions begin:
1. Blukote vs. Vetericyn Plus vs. Neosporin vs. Pine Tar vs. Betadine vs. Providone Iodine vs. Clear Iodine vs. Chlorohexidine vs. Ichthamol Ointment vs. Prid Drawing Salve
2. What is the functional difference between Betadine, Providone Idoine and Clear Iodine?
Do I really need all of these? I feel like the idea is to have an antibacterial/antifungal/antiviral(?) agent. Do all of these basically serve the same purpose? I know the Ichthamol Ointment & Prid are supposed to be good for bumble foot. Not sure if these other things are just as good though. I also know not all of them are antifungal, so I'd love to hear from people that have used them and what they've found the greatest success with.
3. Is dark blue the color chickens are least likely to attack? I'm looking at Vetwrap and it comes in lots of pretty colors, but I don't want to pick red, or something that is just going to draw a lot of unwanted attention. Blukote says the color is to keep birds from pecking at it. Why is that? Chickens can see more colors than we can even, so why does blue deter them? Should I get blue Vetwrap, or should I just stick with the brown/flesh colored stuff?
4. Is there a hierarchy of antibiotics? For instance, if my chicken has an infection/respiratory issue and I try drug A and it doesn't work, I move on to B, then C then D, etc, until something finally knocks it out. Because I've seen so many antibiotics mentioned, I'm not sure if I need to have them all, or just if the one in line prior fails. Amoxicillin, penicillin, Tylan 50, etc. Is there always one you should start with, or does it depend on what the issue is?
5. The items I currently have physically sitting in my kit right now are the following:
Should I return any of these or do they all serve a unique purpose? I'm writing what I know about them next to them.
-Permethrin 10: Broad-spectrum multi-use insecticide. Use for mites/lice? What the heck is this stuff that the store needs to mark down the address where it's going to be used to report to the government? I live on a well. Is this going to poison my water?
-Tylan 50: Antibiotic for treating respiratory issues? (The box says for use in Cattle and Swine Only. Still ok to use? I'm 99% sure it is, but why does it say for them ONLY?)
-VetRx: Supports respiratory function. This is kind of vague. What does this do exactly?
-Neosporin: Antibacterial ointment for cuts scrapes and burns.
-Liquid Safe-Guard (Fenbendazole): For treating Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcinta stomach worms.
-Nutri-Drench: for chicks that have just arrived in the mail, and nutrient support for sick birds
-Corid (Amprolium): to treat Coccidiosis
-Blukote: To spray on cuts/abrasions. Germicidal/fungicidal. Kills ringworm. Dries blisters/sores.
-Pine Tar: Antipruritic, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. Peck deterrent.
-Fish Mox (Amoxicillin) - Antibiotic for various infections.
-Coconut Oil - good for lubricating things/checking for stuck eggs
-3 mL Syringes - for giving fluids or medication
Gonna call on my experts here (and anyone else is welcome to chime in as well): @DobieLover, @casportpony @Nambroth, @dawg53
Last night, way too late, I posted a thread about first aid kit contents. I really probably should have waited until morning to post it, because it's had very little traffic. Though it says 104 views, so not sure if nobody has anything to say about it or if it counts my views, but I digress.
I'm particularly interested in parsing out the differences in the different medications/antibiotics/antifungals/disinfectants/wound ointments/sprays.
My original thread is here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-first-aid-kit.1298269/#post-21133178
But at this point there are so many products it's quite overwhelming. I've visited the thread casportpony started (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit-updated-2-16-2019.1150128/), but it isn't quite what I need. It helped for sure, but I'm still uncertain about a lot of things.
So, let my battery of questions begin:
1. Blukote vs. Vetericyn Plus vs. Neosporin vs. Pine Tar vs. Betadine vs. Providone Iodine vs. Clear Iodine vs. Chlorohexidine vs. Ichthamol Ointment vs. Prid Drawing Salve
2. What is the functional difference between Betadine, Providone Idoine and Clear Iodine?
Do I really need all of these? I feel like the idea is to have an antibacterial/antifungal/antiviral(?) agent. Do all of these basically serve the same purpose? I know the Ichthamol Ointment & Prid are supposed to be good for bumble foot. Not sure if these other things are just as good though. I also know not all of them are antifungal, so I'd love to hear from people that have used them and what they've found the greatest success with.
3. Is dark blue the color chickens are least likely to attack? I'm looking at Vetwrap and it comes in lots of pretty colors, but I don't want to pick red, or something that is just going to draw a lot of unwanted attention. Blukote says the color is to keep birds from pecking at it. Why is that? Chickens can see more colors than we can even, so why does blue deter them? Should I get blue Vetwrap, or should I just stick with the brown/flesh colored stuff?
4. Is there a hierarchy of antibiotics? For instance, if my chicken has an infection/respiratory issue and I try drug A and it doesn't work, I move on to B, then C then D, etc, until something finally knocks it out. Because I've seen so many antibiotics mentioned, I'm not sure if I need to have them all, or just if the one in line prior fails. Amoxicillin, penicillin, Tylan 50, etc. Is there always one you should start with, or does it depend on what the issue is?
5. The items I currently have physically sitting in my kit right now are the following:
Should I return any of these or do they all serve a unique purpose? I'm writing what I know about them next to them.
-Permethrin 10: Broad-spectrum multi-use insecticide. Use for mites/lice? What the heck is this stuff that the store needs to mark down the address where it's going to be used to report to the government? I live on a well. Is this going to poison my water?
-Tylan 50: Antibiotic for treating respiratory issues? (The box says for use in Cattle and Swine Only. Still ok to use? I'm 99% sure it is, but why does it say for them ONLY?)
-VetRx: Supports respiratory function. This is kind of vague. What does this do exactly?
-Neosporin: Antibacterial ointment for cuts scrapes and burns.
-Liquid Safe-Guard (Fenbendazole): For treating Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcinta stomach worms.
-Nutri-Drench: for chicks that have just arrived in the mail, and nutrient support for sick birds
-Corid (Amprolium): to treat Coccidiosis
-Blukote: To spray on cuts/abrasions. Germicidal/fungicidal. Kills ringworm. Dries blisters/sores.
-Pine Tar: Antipruritic, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. Peck deterrent.
-Fish Mox (Amoxicillin) - Antibiotic for various infections.
-Coconut Oil - good for lubricating things/checking for stuck eggs
-3 mL Syringes - for giving fluids or medication
Gonna call on my experts here (and anyone else is welcome to chime in as well): @DobieLover, @casportpony @Nambroth, @dawg53
Last edited:
