When you own your own chickens, it is best to always be prepared for any situations that may arise. Having a small homemade first aid kit for chickens on hand ready for those surprise situations is not that hard to prepare. Yes, you can probably purchase an already prepared kit from, but it simple to create your own with the products below that will help you keep your chickens happy and healthy.
Chickens
Bringing home your first lot of chicks or chickens, is so exciting! But, there is also so much to learn about keeping chickens. Things such as keeping them healthy in your climate, what feed to give them and what treats they enjoy! Learning how to care for them when they are feeling the best is also a must.
So, when something is not as it should be, a chicken first aid kit can come in very handy.
First Aid for Chickens
First, I will say that home remedies can not replace the expertise of a veterinarian, though they can help save a life when veterinary care is not available. Another thing is that many people disagree with natural methods and prefer to use medication and other supplies that are often usually needed to be purchased from the vets. As always – Your House, Your Rules!
Chickens are creatures that often do not show any signs of illness until they are extremely close to death. Certain preventative measures such as clean water, food, fresh bedding and a safe place to live with good ventilation are all very important factors that should be completed on a regular basis.
Sometimes sickness or injury can creep up on your chickens, other times a predator such as the neighbours dog can escape and end up at your place. One thing to remember is that when chickens see blood or exposed skin, they tend to peck at it, and can really cause some serious damage to one another.
When to use your First Aid Supplies
The supplies in your first aid kit can be used for prevention as well as for when the health need arises.
Things such as adding apple cider vinegar to water, chilli powder to their feed can be done with prevention in mind. This is particularly good for those times when you have little chicks that may show signs of coccidiosis or when you are adding new hens or roosters to your flock.
Some diseases that chickens can get can spread throughout your whole flock, taking out many on the way, so prevention is always a good practice.
First Aid Kit for Chickens
Here are some must-haves for your chicken first aid kit.
Sick Bay
When you have an unwell chicken, you will need to separate it from the rest of the flock. I have a wire pet cage that I can use for this purpose. A small rabbit hutch would also work.
This cage should contain warm bedding, water and food containers for your chicken.
Cornflour / Corn Starch
Cornflour is an effective way to stop bleeding. Apply a small amount of it topically to wounds. Due to it be a corn-based product, cornflour is safe to use on poultry.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a great way to support and boost the immune system. This is especially good during the cooler months when chickens are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses. Use a ratio of about 1 Tablespoon of ACV to 3 ½ litres of water. Apple cider vinegar is also a good way to prevent algae from building up inside your chicken waterers, especially during the warmer months. Use the same ratio as before to do this.
Diatomaceous Earth
This can be used to treat lice and mites. Sprinkle it on the floor and around the problem areas of your coops such as cracks, or add a little to the area where your chickens like to dust bath.
Note: This is a controversial one. Some people love it, while others don’t. Do your own research and make your own decisions. Here is a good read about using Diatomaceous Earth in your coops and garden.
Puppy Pads and Clean Old Towels
Puppy pads are not just for puppies! I have used them in my brooder as well as in small cages when treating sick or injured poultry. They are easy to place down, sit feeders and waterers on and make cleaning up so much easier. There are also no loose parts that can stick to wounds, saving your bird from further damage to any wounds.
Old towels can be useful when trying to keep chickens warm and for bedding to keep them warm as well as to use during ‘surgery’, for injuries like bumblefoot.
Epsom Salt
It is always good to have epson salt on hand for the times you have a hen that becomes egg bound. With this condition, the egg gets stuck whilst the hen is trying to lay it. If this egg does not pass naturally, it can cause internal injury and even death. One way to help her pass the egg is by soaking her in a warm epson salt bath. Finish this off by drying them with a hair dryer.
Epsom salt can also be used for constipation and soothe young hens.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is useful for treating scaly leg mites. Just rub it on their legs at night while they are roosting. It can also be rubbed onto combs to help protect against frostbite. Olive oil or canola spray oil can also be used for treating scaly leg mites for those times you don’t have any petroleum jelly on hand. To treat scaly leg mites, use a spray can of oil and spray on their legs liberally while they are sleeping on the roost at night. Repeat in 3 to 4 days. Do this several times. The old scales will shed off.
Calendula First Aid Salve
This Calendula First Aid Salve makes a great addition to your chicken keeping supplies. It can be used to help heal minor wounds like scrapes, cuts, and scratches. It is wonderful for helping to heal skin and treat frostbite, rashes, and bug bites, as well as wounds on the comb from your flock fighting for their position in the group.
To make this salve, you will need:
- 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Beeswax Pastilles
- ½ ounce Calendula Infused Oil – You will need dried calendula to make this infused oil. Check out how here.
- ⅛ teaspoon vitamin e oil
- Small lidded container
Combine beeswax and coconut oil in a microwave safe container, preferably something with a spout to make it easier to pour into containers.
Heat for 1 minute in the microwave and stir, repeat in 30 second increments until mixture has become liquid.
Remove from the heat and stir in calendula and vitamin e until well combined.
Carefully pour into your container(s).
Allow to sit undisturbed for a few hours until the salve has set up throughout. The salve will become solid but melts at body temperature and will be easy to apply.
To use: Gently massage onto any minor wounds like cuts or scrapes.
Other Items to Add to your Kit
- A large container to store it all in
- Vet Information – A good idea is to laminate this information and tape to the top of the box or under the lid for quick and easy access.
- Tweezers
- Q-tips
- Scissors – To clean up feathers and nails as well as cut any bandages as needed.
- Cotton Balls
- Gloves – To keep you clean while dealing with sick and injured chickens.
- Hydrogen Peroxide – A mild antiseptic that can be applied to superficial scrapes, and cuts to prevent infection. Dilute equal parts with water before applying.
- Gauze pads and tape – To keep wounds clean and to help prevent other chickens pecking them.
- Antibiotic Cream such as Neosporin or Betadine
- Antiseptic Spray such as Centrigen
- Chilli Pepper Flakes – Contains natural healing properties and is a great addition to a chicken’s diet when added to a quality layer feed.
- Electrolytes – To help bolster young or unwell chickens.
- Probiotics – To help strengthen young or unwell chickens.
- Saline Spray – To flush out superficial wounds and remove dirt or foreign matter.
- Diatomaceous Earth
- Garlic cloves
- VetRX Chicken Aid for respiratory issues
- Spray oil for scaly leg mites
- Syringes – Multiple sizes to help administer medicines.
- Low dose aspirin – Can be crushed to give to your chicken for pain relief. As aspirin thins the blood, DO NOT USE if the chicken is bleeding.
- Essential Oils – Natural remedies for helping chickens.
- Chicken saddles are a good protections for hens
- Inca Pestene Powder is good for mites and lice
- Bayer Coopex Powder is used to remove insects from chicken coops
Learning to identify any problems that may arise as well as learning how to catch and medicate your chicken are things that all chicken owners should know. To learn more, why not invest in some reading materials such as these ones:
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