Chicken First Aid Kit

CHICKEN FIRST AID KIT AND HEALTH CARE SUPPLIES
Cumulative List

If you raise chickens long enough, the day will come when you need to administer first aid. Be prepared in advance.

Protect Yourself and Your Patient

Vinyl or Latex Gloves can protect your bird from anything on your hands, and prevent you from getting anything on your hands that you might carry out to healthy birds. For the queasy, having a protective layer on may help as you work in an emergency, and it makes cleaning up afterwards a little easier.

Protective Eyewear and Mask: If you are performing a procedure (such as a bumblefoot surgery), having protective gear for your face can be valuable to prevent anything from getting on your face. It will also prevent you from breathing anything into your bird’s wounds.

Rubbing Alcohol: When performing any sort of surgery, it is important to clean the area on the bird first. Rubbing alcohol is an effective way to clean and disinfect the skin, but should not be used near the bird’s eyes. Rubbing alcohol can also be used to disinfect minor cuts and scrapes, but should not be used for deep wounds.

Aspirin is used to alleviate pain. Avoid using aspirin if the bird is bleeding, as aspirin causes the blood to thin and can make bleeding worse. The ideal dose of Aspirin is 25 grains or 1625 mg per gallon of water. Only source of water for 1-3 days.  1 baby aspirin is fine.

A Recovery Room

A dog crate/cage or large bird cage make a perfects 'recovery room' for a chicken who needs to be separated while recovering from an injury or illness. Any medication can be easily limited to your patient's diet and you can monitor food, drink and poop while keeping her safe from pecking by the others. 

Chicken First Aid Kit

The items should be stored in sturdy plastic container with a lid placed in a convenient location. Write the telephone number of your vet and local feed store on the inside of the lid with a permanent marker. Zipper baggies of assorted sizes and small jars like baby food jars can allow you to store medicines and powders in a resealable container. Clearly label what is in each bag or jar, and don't forget to add the date it was opened!

All-Natural First Aid Kit Items (and what they do.)

1. Green Goo, an antibacterial/anti-fungal topical salve for abrasions, cuts, scrapes and use as a first aid dressing. A natural alternative to Neosporin can help speed up the healing process and prevent infection.

2. Anti-pick spray, an antibacterial/antifungal topical spray for wounds, cuts or sores. Using one with blue food coloring added has a bonus of preventing further picking at injuries from other birds who might be attracted to red blood or raw skin. Add a few drops of blue food coloring to some honey and a bit of water to make your own all natural spray.

3. Nutri-Drench, a molasses-based liquid packed with nutrients, helps resistance to disease, boosts immune systems, corrects vitamin deficiencies, helps with heat stress, improves appetites in sick birds and increases the body's response to other treatments. Nutri-drench is given orally using an eyedropper or can be added to feed.

4. Kocci-Free is an organic, all natural antibiotic/anti-parasitic, which helps boost the immune system and rid the body of the coccidia parasite. Also kills other viruses, bacteria and fungus. Given orally using an eyedropper.

5. Poultry VetRx, a 100% natural alternative to antibiotics, is a camphor-based formula used to treat respiratory ailments, scaly leg and eye worm. Given orally, dabbed on the nostrils or under wings, can also be added to drinking water.

6. Verm-X is an all natural wormer/preventive that helps control and flush internal parasites.

7. Garlic Juice - A 10% garlic juice/90% water mixture is an effective remedy for mites and lice. 

8. Honey is an antiseptic with natural healing properties when applied to wounds.

9. Saline Solution is perfect for rinsing dust or dirt out of watery eyes or cleaning a wound.

10. Cornstarch stops bleeding effectively. Apply topically to the site of the bleeding. (Flour can be used for shallow bleeds.)

11. Molasses fed in large enough amounts can cause diarrhea, which can be beneficial in the case of accidental poisoning or suspected botulism. It also contains a super dose of vitamins and minerals which are of benefit to a recovering hen. 

12. Activated Charcoal, in case of suspected poisoning, can help flush toxins.

13. Oregano Oil (or dried oregano) has been studied as a natural antibiotic when added to chickens' diet. 

14. Waxelene, an all-natural alternative to petroleum jelly, can be used to prevent frostbite on wattles and combs.

15. Vetericyn, a non-toxic, gel spray, kills 99.9% of all bacteria, viruses and fungi without harrmful steroids or antibiotics. It speeds healing, cleans wounds and treats infection including bumblefoot.

16. Cayenne Pepper can be applied to a wound to stop bleeding. Adding several teaspoons of cayenne powder to a cup of water can relieve shock quickly.

17. Coconut Oil can be used for frostbite prevention or is good for healing wounds or slowing damage from already established frostbite, as a alternative to antibiotic ointment. 

Inside the kit you may want to have these products:

Baby Orajel Naturals (topical pain reliever)

Betadine (kills germs)

Neosporin (triple antibiotic ointment with no pain reliever)

Liquid Childrens' Benadryl (to administer in case of bee, wasp or scorpion stings)

Liquid Calcium (helps an egg-bound hen)

Vitamins and Electrolytes or Plain Pedialyte 

(to replenish electrolytes during extremely hot weather) 

Lafeber's Nutri-Start Hand feeding formula (if not eating independently)

Epsom salts (for soaking feet with splinters or bumblefoot; also, when ingested, can neutralize and help flush toxins, help with intestinal tract blockage, 

reduce diarrhea and treat vent gleet)

Tea bags (broken beak) 

Petroleum Jelly (to prevent frostbite on combs or feet)

Bach Rescue Remedy for Pets (a natural stress reliever)

Probiotic powder (issues with crop/digestion)

Amprolium (Corid) or Sulfamethazine Sodium (Sulmet) 

Treatments for coccidiosis in young chickens

WARNING: Any antibiotic or pain killer that ends in 'caine' or 'cane' (bactine, novacaine, lidocaine, benzocaine, etc.) can be harmful or even fatal.

Equipment and non-oral supplies:

Tweezers and/or Forceps

Small pair of sharp scissors and Scapel

Duct Tape (cut in strips) or vet wrap or water-proof first aid tape

Gauze pads, non-stick and gauze sponges

Cotton Balls

Wooden Tongue Depressors or Popsicle Sticks (splints)

Q-Tips

Eye Dropper

Small Pliers

Disposable, Rubber Gloves

Dawn Dish Detergent and small plastic wash basin (bath)

Plastic Syringes of different sizes (no needles unless injections needed)

Dog Toenail Clippers

Nail File

Super Glue or Crazy Glue (broken beaks or close a wound if the skin is dry)

Small LED Flashlight with Spare Batteries

Old, clean towels

Ink pen/notepad

Rubber bands

Styptic pencil (stops bleeding)

Preparation H (prolapsed vent for inflamation)

K-Y Jelly or water based lubricant (prolapsed vent or egg-bound)

Hydrogen Peroxide (wound cleaner for beaks/tool sterilizer)

Digital Scale (weigh chicken to calculate medication dose)

22 or 25 gauge injection needle w/various size syringes [Human needles are sharper!]

Small sewing needle and thread (stitches) Fishing line works well as the thread, but remember to sanitize it before using it!

Chicken Saddle to protect your chickens from a roosters spurs, but also comes in handy in the case of a hawk or other raptor attack to keep the injured area clean and not a temptation for others to peck at, or in the event of other back injury or excessively pecked area.

Heat Lamp or Fan for warming a chilled bird or cooling one from heat exhaustion.

ANOTHER KIT TO CONSIDER:

Scissors – For cutting tape, clipping feathers.

Nail Clippers – For trimming long toenails which can cause foot issues. Yes, even free-range chicken’s nails get long! The clippers can also be used to trim back beak tips. Slightly misaligned or overgrown beaks can result in eating issues.

Nail File – This tool’s use might seem a bit obvious. Use it to file down sharp nails, spurs or beaks.

Safety Pin or Needle – For use in removing ingrown feathers or teasing out a bumblefoot core.

Tweezers – Helps remove slivers, bumblefoot cores, ingrown feathers etc.

Measuring Dropper / Syringe – These can be used to accurately measure medication dosages or to feed a sick bird.

Leg Bands – In large flocks with similar looking birds this helps identify birds you are keeping an eye on.

Chicken Saddle – This is great for hens that have bare backs due to over zealous roosters or molting. It’s a way to provide the skin protection from further injury.

Tape – Again, the use is somewhat obvious, to secure bandages. It’s also a good way to test for and remove mites.

Vet Wrap – This self-sticking wrap secures gauze and protects injuries from dirt. I use it for birds treated for bumblefoot.

Non-Stick Gauze Pads – To protect an injured area or as part of a dressing for bumblefoot.

Alcohol Swabs – This is a great way to clean an area prior to opening the skin. Ingrown feathers, bumblefoot core removal etc.

Styptic Pencil – For small wounds or if a chicken is bleeding after a toenail clip. This will stop the bleeding and protect the area from dirt etc.

Super Glue – One of the simplest ways to close a wound without having to resort to stitches. I utilized this gem to close a gash in my duck’s neck after being attacked by our dog. Clean the wound, hold together, apply glue. Once set add a nice layer of Blu-Kote. My duck Diller healed well.

Diatomaceous Earth – For use in prevention and treatment of mites or external pests. This is a great addition to a dust bathing area. Internally, it can be added to feed to act as a wormer.

Wazine 17 – This is a Turkey, Chicken & Swine treatment for round worms. Follow the directions on the bottle.

Corid – For treatment of coccidiosis. I have the 9.6% oral solution. Dose at 1.5 tsp per gallon of water, change daily for 5-7 days. Consult a vet to be sure this will work for you. Coccidiosis can spread fast and be devastating to your flock.

Vetericyn +plus – Great treatment for cuts, abrasions, sores and skin irritations that are in areas difficult to bandage. It contains no alcohol, steroids or antibiotics.

Vet Rx Poultry – 100% natural water additive to support upper respiratory function. I put this in my bird’s water during the winter. It can also help with dryness on their comb, wattles, legs, feet and their beaks.

Blu-Kote – This is a great protective wound antiseptic. It is also germicidal and fungicidal. It stains so be sure to use some rubber gloves when applying.

Campho-Phenique – I use this to aid in the comfort of my birds during bumblefoot removal. They typically don’t overreact to pain stimuli but this can help numb the area temporarily.

Oregano Essential Oil – I add this to my bird water all winter long. It helps support the immune health of the bird.

Dry Oregano & Cayenne Pepper – Supports overall health without the use of antibiotics, the latter stimulates egg laying production.

Antibiotic Cream – In most cases I stay away from antibiotic treatments but I use this as my last resort for a bumblefoot area that feels hot and pink.

Balm of Gilead – I make this natural “antibiotic” balm using coconut oil, bee’s wax and sticky spring cottonwood buds. It is also a natural analgesic.

Rooster Booster Vitamins & Electrolytes w/ Lacto Bacillus – For sick chickens or in hot weather it’s nice to give the birds a boost. The powder formula is easy to store and mix. Birds have been known to become severely dehydrated because of simple things such as water temperature – they don’t like warm water.