Assembling a natural first aid kit for your chickens is easy if you raid your kitchen pantry and bathroom medicine cabinet.
Too often in backyard chicken keeping, injury or illness occurs that needs to be treated quickly. Too many chicken keepers fail to assemble a first aid kit for their chickens in advance.
It's important to have a basic first aid kit ready... just in case.
Hopefully you will never need them, but at least you'll be ready if you do.
I don't believe in using commercial antibiotics or medications, except as a last resort, not only for the hens' well-being, but also because we eat their eggs, so medicating chickens isn't optimal when thinking about then resuming eating their eggs.
Additionally, most medications and treatments recommended even by vets are not approved for use in poultry, and withdrawal periods (during which you shouldn't eat the eggs from a treated chicken) are often uncertain.
All Natural First Aid Kit for Chickens
But it's still important to assemble a first aid kit for any animal you raise, and chickens are no different. Fortunately, it's not only possible, but I believe, optimal to find all natural first aid items right in your kitchen or pantry.
I consider the items listed below essential to any chicken first aid kit.
They are all-natural and have no side effects or withdrawal periods when used as directed, but between them all, you should be equipped to treat nearly anything including predator attacks, respiratory issues, predators or heat stress.
In addition, you can raid your bathroom first aid kit for essentials like gauze, cotton balls, tweezers and Q-tips.
Even though these are likely items you keep on hand to treat your family, it's a good idea to keep some in your chicken first aid kit as well so you know where to go in the case of a chicken first aid emergency and they're with your other poultry first aid items.
Natural First Aid Kit Products
Since many products used to treat poultry are not readily available locally, and many vets don't treat chickens, it is my recommendation to be prepared and keep these critical items stocked at all times - many of which you will find right in your kitchen, pantry, bathroom cabinet or at a local pharmacy.
In addition, I recommend several all natural commercial products that are good to keep on hand as well.
With this basic first aid kit, you should be able to treat most chicken illnesses, injuries or other first aid issues.
We have never used a commercial medication, antibiotic or other chemical-based product on our hens and have never lost one to disease or illness, and the natural route is always my first choice anyway.
Scroll down after you read my supply list to learn what each first aid kit item can be used for.
First Aid Kit Supplies
Kitchen/Pantry Items
Apple Cider Vinegar
Cayenne Powder
Coconut Oil
Cornstarch
Honey
Molasses
Pharmacy Items
Saline Solution
Commercial All Natural Products
Homemade
First Aid Applications of each Item
(listed alpabetically)
Activated Charcoal | Useful when given internally as a detoxifying agent in case of accidental poisoning,
helps flush toxins and contains Vitamin K which aids in blood clotting. Mix into scrambled eggs, oats or some feed mixed with a little water for a reluctant patient
Anti-pick spray |
Blue color applied topically to a raw spot, bare skin or superficial injury helps to keep other hens from picking on an injury or red, raw skin
Apple Cider Vinegar | Balances Ph, overall digestive and
health support when added to the drinking water a couple of times a week. The traditional dose for preventive care is 1 Tablespoon per gallon of water which can be increased to 4 Tablespoons per gallon of water for a sick chicken
Brewers Yeast with Garlic | Supports immune and respiratory health, can be added to daily feed to help boost the immune system
Cayenne Powder | St
ops bleeding of wounds when applied topically. When ingested, cayenne powder improves circulation which is thought to help prevent frostbite. Also can be used internally to treat for shock by adding several teaspoons to a cup of water
Cornstarch | Stops bleeding when applied topically to a wound
Garlic/Garlic Juice | Natural remedy for
mites and other external parasites when taken internally on a regular basis. Biting parasites don't like the taste of garlic-tainted blood. However, will not make your hens' eggs taste like garlic!
Herbal Salve | All-natural topical salve for minor cuts or scrapes, also helps treat frostbite and
bumblefoot
Honey | Antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal with natural healing properties when applied topically. Can be used in place of sugar in water for new baby chicks or other ailing birds
Kochi-Free | Organic and all natural, helps rid the body of the
coccidiosis parasite when taken internally
Liquid Calcium | Effective in assisting an
egg bound hen to lay her egg when given internally
Molasses | Detoxifying agent in case of poisoning or botulism, also
provides vitamins and minerals to boost ailing hen when offered free-choice to be taken internally or mixed into feed or a favorite treat. Too much can cause diarrhea, but molasses works well to flush the body of toxins
Nutri-Drench | Molasses-based liquid packed with nutrients helps correct vitamin deficiencies, improve appetites in sick hens and increase response to other treatments when taken internally
Oregano/Oregano Oil | Natural antibiotic which can be offered fresh or dried free-choice, or a few drops of oregano oil can be added to the drinking water to provide immune support.
Poultry VetRx | C
amphor-based formula used to treat respiratory ailments when taken intnerally. Also used topically to treat scaly leg mites and eye worm
Saline Solution | Used to rinse wounds or debris from eyes
These items, along with some gauze pads, scalpel, eye dropper, tweezers, band-aids, a small pair of scissors and vet wrap or first aid tape will ensure you are prepared for any minor first aid emergency.
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For more natural chicken keeping information and tips, check out my books
Fresh Eggs Daily: Raising Happy, Healthy Chickens Naturally and
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks available wherever books are sold.
