Bold patch on the neck

[Microstead]

Do I need Stockholm tar and antibiotic powder and some kind of purple spray or do they all do the same thing? What does everyone else have in their chicken medical kit?

[mullethunter]

I don’t have any of those things and have kept chickens for 6 years. There have been times (literally once or twice) when I have thought I could’ve done with purple spray or wound powder, but I have never wanted Stockholm tar and can’t think I ever would. Nutri drops and small syringes are the only things I won’t be without.

[Microstead]

Thank you mullet hunter.  It's easy to get carried away and buy one of everything. What do you do with the small syringes? I will have a look at the nutridrops

[mullethunter]

They’re useful for administering oral drugs or water if you need to,

[Cat tails]

And have a think about how you will be deworming your chickens. You can always ask your local vet for advice. (As there are a lot of opinions on worming in this website... 😉)

[Luvachicken]

3 hours ago, mullethunter said:

Nutri drops and small syringes are the only things I won’t be without.

Definitely agree with those items.

I would add some cotton buds (environmentally friendly obviously) and some Poultry Tonic.

[The Dogmother]

Stockholm Tar is good for sheep, and we used to use it on poultry, but there are better things now. It smells good though.

I have (bear in mind that I am often called out to look at and treat peoples' birds, and also treat my own dogs):

Purple antiseptic spray (the nettex one with the small directional nozzle)

Vet wound powder for staunching bleeds

Vet wrap

Syringes

NutriDrops (resurrects anything which isn't actually 6 ft under)

Poultry tonic

Leucillin antiseptic spray (I was sent some to test and actually thing it's good)

Anti-mite spray (off-licence)

Ivernectin spot-on (also off-licence)

Latex gloves

 

[Beantree]

Arrowroot powder works for stopping major bleeds (broken nails are difficult to deal with). Sure the proper wound powder is better but our budget is limited.

Microporous tape and gauze for bandaging combined with antiseptic cream.

Syringes (no needles) of various sizes (1mL, 5mL, 20mL), usually to give water or Avipro Avian solution. We also used a 50mL one to sal*****er flush a case of fly-strike.

We bought spray on plastic skin to stop comb bleeds, which works well but the eyes have to be avoided.

Stockholm tar is really messy stuff which we now haven't needed for years since all the run sizes were increased; hens will eat a cockerels comb when bored and the cockerel will let them! Applied with a cotton bud.

Vaseline for combs in winter.

Small scissors; straight cut nail scissors are perfect. We also use a surgical scalpel but I suggest that is really a tool for vet treatment.

We use Frontline Spray for Northern Fowl Mites and Flea spray for lice; both unlicensed and so used with caution. Frontline spray has to be vet prescription in England but can be bought over the counter here.

[Geoid]

Flubenvet for de-worming (very easy to administer too!)

Edited January 21, 2020 by Geoid

[Luvachicken]

Cotton wool pads are also very useful for any kind of first aid.

Also, if you are not a vegetarian and have Charlie Bigham pies, save the lovely ceramic pie dishes for water so you can bathe any injury.

[mullethunter]

Actually yes, vetwrap and ivermectin I would add to my list

[Beantree]

I forgot the Manuka Honey in the fridge. Used for prolapses and fly strike areas.

Keep your eye open for a cheap steam cleaner, which we use on our coops to give them a thorough clean without chemical residues. Particularly effective on red mite.

Worth mentioning we don't use the vets here. They are divided into pet treatment (dogs and cats) and agricultural treatment (large scale) so probably won't know how to treat a pet chicken and are far too expensive anyway.

[Microstead]

Thank you everyone for your replies  I'm pretty sure our local,vets just deal with the usual pets and not chickens so I'm sure to be back here looking for advice on chicken ailments in future. This chicken business is turning out to be quite expensive! 

[mullethunter]

It’s expensive to start with and at times but not most of the time.  It cheaper than buying eggs though.