Chicken First Aid Supplies

Avian vets (veterinarians who are experienced in treating birds) are very hard to find. So what do you do if you have a sick or injured hen? This article will provide a list of the items that should be in your poultry first aid kit for treating common ailments at home. Here are the chicken first aid supplies you need to keep on-hand:

This article contains Amazon affiliate links to products I use for my flock.

Here are the basic first aid supplies I strongly suggest any chicken keeper have on-hand for any minor emergency…which always seems to strike on a weekend evening when the feed stores have just closed…

Poultry NutriDrench

Grandma’s brand molasses (available at grocery stores)

Elderberry syrup (original formula is chicken safe, no night time formulas)

Vetericyn Poultry Spray (for all wounds and flesh injuries)

Blue Kote spray (stops hens from pecking at red, bloody wounds)

Nano Silver in a travel pump spray bottle (very chicken safe, especially for eye wounds)

Bacitracin ointment (safe for use on chickens)

2×2 inch Gauze squares

Self adhesive bandage wrap

SafeGuard liquid wormer (directions for chicken use are in this article)

Epsom salt (to soak an egg bound hen)

VetRx Poultry Remedy (150 year old remedy that uses Balsam, Oregano and Rosemary essential oils)

Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil

Food is Medicine

Herbs, foods and gentle remedies often are the best “medicines” for our feathered friends. It is sometimes shocking how quickly a hen can bounce back just from molasses water, elderberry syrup, herbs and hard boiled egg yolks.

I make an immune boosting chick and chicken drink by combining 1 Tablespoon molasses, 1 teaspoon elderberry syrup and 1 quart of water in a quart size mason jar. I shake to combine and then give to the hen. To this mix you can add one drop of therapeutic grade oregano essential oil safe for internal use if you believe the hen is fighting an illness.

essential oil bottles & herbs Chicken First Aid Supplies

Essential Oils Safe for Chicken Use

There is some serious hate when it comes to essential oils. I don’t understand why when VetRx – arguably one of the absolute best chicken respiratory medicines – has been using Canada Balsam, Oregano and Rosemary essential oils in their blend since 1874. The Nutrena NatureWise brand adds oregano essential oil to their feed because of studies showing the benefits to laying hens. If someone is scolding you for using essential oils derived from common foods and herbs on your hens, they are uninformed and need to do more unbiased research.

In my experience, many garden herb-based therapeutic grade essential oils are fine to use on and around chickens. These essential oils are derived from the same dry herbs you are often using in nest box herb blends or feed supplements.

I use unrefined organic coconut oil, warmed in my hand until it melts, to dilute topically applied essential oils if desired.

garden herbs Chicken First Aid Supplies — Essential oils derived from common garden herbs are generally regarded as safe for use with chickens.

Here are the essential oils I use on or around chickens:

Oregano Essential Oil (internally as an immune system support)

Thyme Essential Oil (used as a safe, edible disinfectant for chicken feeders & waterers)

Lavender Essential Oil (topical, deters mites & soothes skin wounds or irritation)

Melaleuca Essential Oil (topical, deters mites & dries up weepy wounds)

Frankincense Essential Oil (topical, deep wound treatment)

Peppermint Essential Oil (around the coop to deter mice)

Orange Essential Oil (as a deterrent to stop an egg eating hen or stop bullying by spraying on victim) – most citrus essential oils will work for this use

white hen — Treating your hens at home is possible if you have the proper first aid supplies for poultry!

Useful Chicken Supplements & Extras

If you’re interested in a more advanced supply of chicken care items, here are a few more things I love to have for my girls:

Diatomaceous Earth – Food Grade (topical for pest control and internal for parasite control)

Dried Calendula Flowers (used for making infusions, natural balms and nest box herb mixes)

Garden & Poultry Dust (for mite infestations that won’t respond to anything else)

Garlic Powder or Dehydrated Garlic Pieces (immune system boost; sprinkle on feed)

Red Pepper Flakes (purchased in bulk from local grocery stores; deters rodents away from chicken feed)

Liquid Vitamin E with Selenium (for treating chicks with wry neck, a selenium deficiency)

Oral Syringes (for administering liquids directly into a hen’s beak)

Disposable Gloves or Washable Dish Gloves (because chicken first aid can be messy!)

Be Prepared

Having a few chicken first aid supplies saves time and helps me feel like a confident and capable chicken keeper. If there is a product you love using for your hens, please share it in the comments below!

Chicken First Aid Supplies