Chickens are like all other animals. They can become injured or sick and require immediate care in order to recover. A fight can occur between birds causing injury or your bird could be attacked by a predator. An unexpected illness can leave you scratching your head on how to care for your patient. I recommend that you prepare for these situations by having a stocked first aid kit handy and ready to use.
If your bird has been attacked and has an open, bleeding wound you will need to first clean the area. Hydrogen Peroxide or chlorhexidine solution is good for this. After the wound is cleaned apply Vetericyn, neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment to help the wound heal. Vetrap bandaging or non stick guaze pads are nice because they don’t stick to feathers when removed. After the wound has healed apply Blu Kote which will dye the area blue making it less attractive to other birds. If pain relief is needed use 5 aspirin (325 mg) to one gallon of water and use in waterer.
If your bird is not feeling well it is important to have on hand a variety medicines to help, once you diagnose the problem. Epsom salts are great for soaking hen’s bottoms who are egg bound. Preparation H can help with prolapsed vents. Vetrx is great for relieving congestion and stress. Place it near nostrils. Eye Wash is great for cleaning out eyes that become gunky. It is a good idea to have a wormeron hand if you discover worms in your bird’s chicken poo.A Mite and Lice treatment is handy to have at a moment’s notice. Having Corid ready to go for coccidiosis can be a life saver. Nutri Drench or Save a chick can help with fast vitamins to the system. Vaseline is handy for frostbite or scaly leg mites. Tylan is used when you need to give a dose of antibiotics to your bird.
Things of a general nature to include in your chicken first aid kit would include: Q-tips, Pet nail trimmer, cornstarch (stop bleeding) , Feeding syringe or dropper. latex gloves should be used so that germs are not transferred between you and the patient. A small scissors and tweezers are also handy to have nearby.
Create a sick bay area area for your bird to rest and recover in, away from the rest of the flock. Animal crates or Kennels are wonderful for this. Use soft comfortable bedding or puppy pads inside. Food and water cups can hang on the wire sides of the kennel. Watch to make sure that your bird is eating and drinking. You may have to hand feed if they are not. Exact Hand Feeding is a product made for birds to use when they can’t eat on their own. When it is time to reintroduce your bird back to the flock, remember that she will be a stranger to them and the pecking order will need to be established again.
Store all of your chicken first aid equipment together in some kind of tool box. That way, you won’t be searching all over the house for items during times of emergency. Have the phone number of a vet who knows something about treating chickens. It is easier to do this ahead of time rather than trying to locate someone later. Having a stocked first aid kit can give you a sense that you will be able to handle any emergency that occurs.
For tips and tricks for raising outstanding silkies check out our Chicken Learning Center at VJPPoultry.com . VJP Poultry is an NPIP and state inspected hatchery located 30 miles north of St. Paul. We hatch out silkies all year long so we always have stock available. Like us on Facebook to get weekly updates on what we currently have for sale.
Victoria J. Peterson
VJP Poultry 