Supplements

[Newchickadee30]

Hello,

I’m new to chickens so bear with me.
what supplements or meds do you give your birds daily, weekly, monthly or yearly for their overall health and care to prevent disease or illnesses and promote all around healthiness?
What items are good to keep on hand for first aid or a sick bird?

Thank you

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello,

I’m new to chickens so bear with me.
what supplements or meds do you give your birds daily, weekly, monthly or yearly for their overall health and care to prevent disease or illnesses and promote all around healthiness?
What items are good to keep on hand for first aid or a sick bird?

Thank you

Welcome To BYC!

You will get a wide variety of answers LOL
For me...I keep vitamins and/or vitamin/electrolytes on hand. I do add vitamins/electrolytes to my birds' water about every 2 weeks for 1 day. In summer, probably once a week - but they do have access to plain water at all times too.

As for medications. That's more tricky. De-wormers - it's best if possible to get a fecal float for confirmation of worms before treating chickens. Sometimes that is not an option. I would only buy a dewormer as needed. A store like Tractor Supply (mine anyway) always seems to have Safeguard (Fenbendazole) in stock. That can be used to treat most worms.

Other medications? Some do keep some antibiotics - most of those you will need to order online. I would probably go with...order as you need. You may never need antibiotics. For something like wounds...again, you can generally get Penicillin at Tractor Supply.

First aid. You likely already have something in your human medicine cabinet/first aid kit that can be used. Triple Antibiotic Ointment (plain Neosporin) can be used on wounds, depending on where a wound is located - warm soapy water can be used. Saline, Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens), Betadine, etc. are some things that a lot of folks have as well.
Some use Vetericyn.
I do keep some sports wrap on hand - again that's in the people's kit, but it can be cut into smaller strips and used on chickens as well - great for wrapping legs/toes. (also very good for keeping on people bandages).

Keeping water stations cleaned, food fresh and stored well so it doesn't mold and your coop/run raked up and relatively cleaned, hopefully you won't have problems.
You can spend a LOT of money on medications, supplements, etc. etc., but practicing good husbandry is an effective way of keeping chickens healthy.

Just my 2¢

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have various things I keep on hand for the birds, stuff that kind of builds up over the years, but nothing that's part of a routine/regular use. Plain water and good feed are pretty much all they need.

 

[aart]

I keep a couple versions of vitamins and electrolytes on hand.
Give when a boost might be needed(mostly extreme temps).
Some basic first aid stuff.

If a bird doesn't thrive here, it doesn't get much special treatment.

Plain water and good feed are pretty much all they need.

Ditto Dat^^^

 

[Norma_Lorp]

I keep powdered electrolytes on hand that you mix in their water. I don’t ever use it, only had to once in the past year when one was a bit lethargic. Worked. But for this whole year after that nothing but fresh water, feed grain and treats and they are healthy.

 

[Mandaashley21]

The medical/sports wrap that someone suggested already is a great idea. I’ve had to give a couple of my girls epsom salt baths or soaked feet in it. It’s a good idea to keep some permethrin/ poultry insecticide on hand for lice or mites, I find the girls don’t mind the powder as much. There’s also a wound spray that comes out blue so if one gets a scrape the others don’t peck at it, I forget the name but it’s at tractor supply.
It’s nice to have a good supply stock so you’re not trying to run out and find supplies at 9:00 on a Sunday night which seems to happen to me every time.