Here is the bes guide for a chicken first aid kit. Chickens can hide being sick until they are really sick. Make sure your first aid kit is ready to go at any time. Have you ever had a chicken that seemed fine when she went to sleep but was very sick the next morning? If you don’t, you will, because it happens to everyone.
Chickens are careful not to show that they are sick because it is in their nature to do so. Animals and birds are already at the bottom of the food chain, so letting anyone, including us, see how weak they are is to ask for trouble.
If a chicken is sick, it is more likely that someone will eat it. So they don’t say anything about it until it’s usually too late to do anything about it.
And, of course, they can be attacked by predators and get sick from the same things chickens do. It’s just the way things are.
Having a supply of things that can help sick chickens can mean the difference between life and death for one or more of our flock.
It doesn’t matter what the items are kept in, as long as children and pets can’t get to them. What matters is that you have them when you need them.
You may also want to read about the best chicken feed.
Buy this if nothing else! These chicken first aid kit.
Vetericyn spray would be my chickens’ only first aid item. It’s safe for adults and chicks and made for poultry (I also maintain one for larger animals to treat our dogs).
It doesn’t include antibiotics or steroids, has no “egg withdrawal” phase, doesn’t hurt or aggravate sick chickens, and is harmless even if other animals taste it.
Several internet reviews call it herb-infused water. It contains a very weak hypochlorous acid solution (0.0120%) that heals all wounds safely and effectively.
Uses
I’ve used this for wounds from a neighbor’s dog attacking my hens, pecking, overuse from an aggressive rooster, frostbite, and mite-caused vent sores.
For open wounds and sores. Its spray nozzle makes getting under feathers and into tight spaces simple.
That can seem miraculous. I was surprised when wounds healed quickly.
Applying Vetericyn poultry spray
If no bleeding, spritz this on the wound. Spray the wound into a kitchen towel or clean cloth and apply mild pressure to halt the flow. Apply it daily until the wound heals.
Antimicrobial ointment
Neosporin has antibiotics, unlike Vetericyn. It’s an antibiotic ointment with neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin for minor wounds that may get infected.
Use antibiotics sparingly. Vetericyn first. Antibiotics only if it’s infected.
Why? Because hens, like people, can develop resistance. Because they only work against bacteria (such poultry cholera) and not viruses (like Marek’s illness).
Anti-mites
Permethrin dust cures mites and northern fowl mite. Sevin dust and Ivermectin are substantially more hazardous than it. Permethrin works for infestations. Always try it first.
Diatomite (DE)
A dust bath with a little diatomaceous earth can help avoid an infestation. Conclusion? Maintain some, but use it carefully. It is important in a chicken first aid kit.
Anti-pecking sprays
They may help if your birds are pecking feathers out or pecking at a rooster-ravaged area.
The most popular anti-pecking antibiotic is Blu-Kote. It also turns wounds purple. This turns red wounds purple/blue since hens nibble at red things.
It will discolor your hands and other surfaces. Wear gloves and dress appropriately!
Epsom
Egg-bound hens benefit from a warm epsom salt bath. Unscented is best. Scented chemicals irritate chicken skin.
Two cups of epsom salts in a washing-up bowl of lukewarm water make a bath. Your hen should sit in water no higher than her chest. Relax the hen in the “spa” for five minutes.
I also use this for birds that are hunched, pallid, and off feed but have no other symptoms. Doing anything may help or make me feel better.
Petrolatum
Scaly leg mites can be treated with petroleum jelly. It prevents frostbite when applied to huge combs.
Drugs and energy boosters
Aspirin
If your chicken is in visible pain, give it one low-dose aspirin twice a day for a large breed or one quarter for a bantam. I wouldn’t give baby birds aspirin. Aspirin is very useful in a chicken first aid kit.
Crush and sprinkle on a treat (mine like grapes). or crumble in water and feed with a dropper if the chicken can’t eat.
Be careful to give the appropriate dosage, and don’t give it for more than two to three days. Chickens lose weight and bleed when given aspirin.
Electrolytes are needed, especially for chicks. Have electrolytes for sick or weak chicks and adult hens who need a boost, such as during or after a sickness.
You can use Gatorade or my electrolyte recipe if you don’t have any ready-made.
So it’s wise to have some “add water and you’re done” in your first aid box for emergencies.
Nutri-drench
For weak, listless, or “under the weather” chicks and chickens of any age, nutri-drench is a popular pick-me-up.
Immune system enhancer. It contains vitamins, amino acids, electrolytes, and trace minerals. For a sick chicken, use a dropper.
Vitamin E with Selenium
Vitamin E with Selenium is a strong antioxidant for wry neck chicks. The vitamin cures, but selenium helps the body absorb it. Wry neck is normally cured within a day.
Administer it in a dropper two or three times a day, and don’t stop when you feel an improvement because the wry neck will return. For three weeks, continue.
Required gear
Clippers
To clip wings and toenails, you need strong clippers.
Disposable gloves
Gloved hands clutching a chick. Gloves must be disposable. Protect yourself when handling ill or injured hens.
Droppers
Sick chickens don’t drink. Liquid medication may require a dropper.
One or two drips on the beak usually opens the chicken’s mouth. If not, carefully slide a fingernail between the beak and pry the mouth open enough to insert the dropper.
Careful dropper use. Too much can choke the bird.
Headlamp
A headlamp may seem unneeded until you have to care for a sick chicken in the early morning. Leaving both hands free to treat the fowl.
Checking the coop at night to make sure everyone is roosted!
Sterile scalpels, disposable
If you’re squeamish, don’t buy these scalpels. They’re good for bumblefoot, but if you’re not sure you want to dig into a chicken’s foot, go to the doctor.
After buying them, I couldn’t utilize them.
Towel
A towel is useful. Keeping a chicken calm while you treat an injury or treat her.
For instance, wrapping a chicken in a towel while administering electrolytes will soothe and reassure her. It doesn’t have to be expensive cotton—I use a threadbare towel!
Another essential: vetrap
Vetwrap is essential for treating chicks with spraddle leg. Simple to secure any bandage.
It’s easy to remove this tape because it doesn’t attach to the chicken.
There are varying widths. 2″ is perfect for chickens. To cure spraddle leg in a chick, cut the width.
