What Are Your Top 5 Picks For Medications To Have On Hand And Why?

[ThePamperedPullet]

Thank You all for your input. Let's keep it going......

 

[NotTheMomma]

WOW, hmm, 5 for just the poultry...

I have Tylan injectible, though I hope to never need it. Mostly for the other animals, but I feel safer having it on hand in the event of an infection, whether a wound, respiratory (debating with myself whether I would treat or cull, or whatever.

I haven't found Corid YET, but when I do, that will be something I keep on hand. Simply because dogs, bunnies, and poultry can get cocci.

I keep triple antibiotic ointment to use for any injury to prevent infection.

I also have baby bird formula in case of a chicken not wanting to eat, or injuried beak, etc.

Otherwise, that's it. I do keep a tool chest with vet wrap, bandages, guaze, etc in case of a bleeding emergency, horse injury, etc. Much of what I keep in my 'live stock' kit is for the other farm animals, but could be used on the chickens if need be. I'm the type to treat what I can, but know my limits and will either consult a vet to help treatment or have them put down if treatment is way out of my limit, or if treatment won't help.

 

[kathyinmo]

Epsom Salt
Molasses
poultry electrolyes
PolyVisol (non iron) vitamins
yogurt

I know they are not really medicine, but they are in my Poultry First Aid kit! These saved my bird's life, as seen in this link:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2599387#p2599387

 

[Gwen]

After reading the very intersting thread on the chicken with botulism, I'm wondering - do chickens just eat anything, even if it's bad for them, if they're out free ranging? I'm sure I have some plants on the 'bad' list but I would assume that like dogs, they just leave alone what's not good for them.

Also, if she got botulism from eating something, would it then be contagious to the other birds or would they have to eat the same thing to get it?

 

[threehorses]

Botulism is contagious through the droppings of the infected bird as well as through the carcass should she die. They ingest the bacteria (Clostridium botulinum) or their toxins through a media like mud, water, soured feed, or a vector like maggots. When the bacteria are in their digestive tract, they produce more toxins and those toxins are what paralyze the bird as they go through the blood.

So a bird's droppings will contain those toxins as well as the bacteria. Furthermore, the organism that causes botulism for chickens is the same for all animals - including humans. So it's important to wear gloves, wash hands frequently, and keep taking the droppings out of the cage. You don't just want to toss them into your normal droppings pile.

As for "eat everything" yes. They're known to eat carcasses, maggots, and pretty much anything disgusting. They tend to sometimes have an instinct for not eating some plants, but will and often enough do ingest toxic plants which is why it's good to know what you have around your garden and chickens.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Here here! Particularly after the last toxin issue, good to add! I think I'll officially put the molasses on my list, and the epsoms! I just always had them for horses and for - well biscuits! The molasses, that is.

'Never had epsom salt on a biscuit.

 

[Beekissed]

ACV
Bag Balm

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

Nice to see a bit more interest in this post. Keep your medicine sugestions coming. It helps us all.

 

[dave3877]

Quote:
ivermectin for swine is better suited for poultry. but my favorite to use and had the most luck with is ivomec powder. its for swine and you put it in their feed

 

[Mrs.ChickChick]

Quote:
This is a great list threehorses! I have a few questions though....
On the antibiotics, most of these say on the label to use for pigs or cows, and there are different ways to get the product, like powder, liquid, injectable. Also different dosage strengths. Can you tell us the dose you would use for a chicken? and which form you use and why?

Also, why do you use Corid AND Sulmet? Corid is for babies and Sulmet is for adults? Am I reading that right?

The ivermectin I'm completely confused as to what kind and what amount.

The amount of meds out there for livestock is very confusing

as I found out while trying to choose what to get online.