Health Care Solutions
Flocks always seems to get sick or injured on the week ends when the local feed stores are closed. This page is an attempt to prepare us all for those times. Here are just a few ideas many friends have shared. This is a quick reference and probably not the only way but what works for those who have shared.
A short observation after creating this page is... I rarely had any of these medications on hand when needed. Sometimes I was forced to drive to another town and other times I had friends who were better prepared than me and they had the medication on hand and shared. Also I never knew what to give or what dosage until I went through it with my birds. This is definitely designed to save time and worry for those who use this reference.
Antibiotic ointments~ for injuries to body or eyes
Neosporin ~ my favorite but there are store brands that work as well for treating wounds
Terramycin ~ ointment for eyes
Vetropolycin ~ ointment for eyes
Antibiotic treatments ~
Sulmet~mix with drinking water per bottle instructions ~ used to treat infectious coryza, coccidiosis, poullorum, colds, sour crop.
Terramycin powder ~ added to water
Tylan 50 Injectable~ Broad spectrum used for respiratory infections (small insulin needles work best)
Tylan 200 Injectable~same as 50 but stronger and less needs to be given
Tylan Soluable Powder ~ Treats CRD ~ mixed with drinking water ( 1 tsp powder to 1 gallon water, first mix 1tsp of powder in about pint of warm, not hot water, and then top off to make a gallon) Although this has soluble in the name it is hard to mix so start small to mix thoroughly. Any birds with symptoms should be isolated as this can be spread very easily. If you do find it spreading you should confine and treat all the flock for two weeks to stop the cycle.
Calciboost ~ a must for egg bound hens (works FAST) liquid can be dripped on small bites of bread (this is hard to find and usually needs to be ordered online so think ahead)
Corid ~ for treatment and prevention of Coccidiosis (follow package instructions, added to drinking water)
Electrolytes ~ added to water during times of stress. Gives a boost during shipping, showing, or the hot weather. (different brands can be bought at most feed stores) In an emergency situation you can give Gatorade
Selenium ~ used as a diet supplement to boost poultry
VetRX ~ used for many different purposes VetRx contains confor oil. Help with congestion. People who show birds like to use it as a energy boost and aide for glossy feathers, combs, beaks. Helps clear congestion when rubbed on beak along with a few drops under wings. Some say it can burn skin if over used. This is also great to rub on legs of birds for scaly leg mites.
Vitamin B12 ~ for treating limber neck in poultry and as a diet supplement
Vitamin E ~ for treatment of limber neck in poultry and as a diet supplement
Wormers ~
Wayzine ~ effective against rounds worms (added to water per bottle instructions)
Piperazine ~ round worms (added to water per bottle instructions)
Levamisole~ effective against gape, capillary, cecal and round worms (added 1/4 tsp powder to a gallon of water, comes in powder form and can be mixed in smaller amount rather than mixing complete bottle as directed on bottle)
Ivomec ~ all worms except tape worms ~ seems to be some questions about being effective for capillary (inject able mixes best with water, pour on can be added to water but does not mix as well. Pour on is better applying to skin behind neck or given orally. A plus for Ivomec is that it also kills external parasites as well as internal with same treatment.
Ivermectin~ is the generic for Ivomec and works just as well plus the price IS much cheaper. You can buy either the pour on or injectable in both Ivomec and Ivermectin.
DE ~ an ongoing additive for feed (also controls weevils in feeds cans, odors and many, many other benefits)
All wormers I have used advise to repeat treatment after two weeks to be sure you kill any additional parasites that may have hatched from eggs. Additional worming breaks the life cycle of the worms.
Sevin Dust 7%~ for dusting birds with mites or lice
Adams Flea Spray ~ for mites and lice
Quell ~ anti pecking
Nu skin ~
Another important way to protect your flock is the availability of many different vaccines.
Fowl Pox ~ There is no treatment for fowl pox. Control and prevention in chickens is accomplished by vaccination by the wing web method with a commercially available fowl pox or pigeon pox vaccine. This should be administered to all chickens at 12-16 weeks of age.
Items you need to keep handy
Q-tips, Cotton Balls, cotton pads, disposable gloves, plastic set of measuring spoons, plastic measuring cup, insulin needles, saline solution for eye wash, pliers, scissors, flashlight, catch net, old towel to wrap bird while treating, handy wipes, paper towels, finger nail and toe nails clippers for clipping toe nails and beaks, sugar to stop bleeding/or commercial blood stops, bleach , vinegar, galic, DE, vitamins, axe and block of wood, masking tape, pipe cleaners,