What medicines/home remedies should I keep in my "Chicken Emergency Box"

[jacquelyn213]

Hi everyone~
I am very new to the wonderful world of Silkies and lost one yesterday to Cocci. I have 3 remaining Silkies.

I've been asking many questions at the feed store, to friends who own chickens, to the woman who sold me the Silkies and also been reading up online daily about proper Silkie care.

No one has ever mentioned Cocci to me or any chicken diseases to me at all. I thought all my ladies were healthy but yesterday one went downhill pretty fast and passed w/in hours. After I buried her underneath my favorite tree, I researched and low and behold she had 100% of the Cocci symptoms. The owner of the feed store agreed with me.

So, I was wondering if there is anything I should have on hand in case of another emergency? Anything I should keep handy in the house (medicinal or home remedies)? I'd like to be prepared as to not be sidelined like this again.

So far I purchased Sulmet. The feed store does not carry Corid, only Sulmet. They are they closest feed store in my area.

I feel horrible not knowing about chicken diseases. I'm fanatical about my girls and the cleanliness of their coop/run. I thought I was doing everything right and that they'd live long and happy chicken lives. It was devastating to lose "Midge" yesterday. She was only 10 weeks old.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I am so sorry for your loss.

The absolute essentials that I have are as follows:

Blood stop powder for nail trimming and blood feather bleeding
nail trimmers (silkies sometimes need help with this)
Poultry Dust and tied-off sock
Permethrin liquid
Rooster Booster Pick No More Lotion
Duramycin (never used it)
Poultry Protector
Corid
Wormers- Wazine and off-label Valbazen, fenbendazole off-label
Mineral oil for scaly leg mites
Eprinex
Sulmet
Blu Kote (never used it yet)
antibiotic ointment with no painkillers
aspirin
syringes
vaseline


That's all I can think of off the top of my head. My chickens are a hobby that I really enjoy, and they are my pets.

Here is a link to suppliers of poultry things:
http://poultryextension.psu.edu/Equip.html

I like Fleming Outdoors and Jeffers Livestock- I have ordered from them and was pleased. Also McMurray Hatchery sells supplies. Oh and I like eggboxes.com.

 

[TwoCrows]

Great list ChickensAreSweet!

You can also add to this list:

Preperation H
Surgical Tools, such as cuticle cutters, scapels, dental pics, tweezers...(bumblefoot instruments)
Tetracylcine antibiotics
Vet wrap
Gauze pads
Clotrimazole (sour crops)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Probiotics

And of course, Lots of Love.

 

[jacquelyn213]

Thank you both for your lists!
I am going to get my Emergency Box stocked.

Question regarding the wormers: do you only worm if there is an outbreak or do you give as a preventative each month?

 

[TwoCrows]

It is best to get the poop tested to actually find out what you are dealing with as far as types of worms. I have found that all I need is Wazine twice a year. It only kills off round worms in the the intestinal tract, which are the most common of worms. I can tell when I need to do a treatment....the birds combs can start to pale and they get soft or runny stools. There are other wormers out there that kill off everything. You will need to decide what to use and how often. Worms are a common problem and should be addressed regularly.