03/06/2021
Emergency kit for small flocks: wounds/injuries
Paris the pigeon was admitted to our clinic with a bleeding wound on her left wing after being attacked by a racoon. Her wound was treated right away and she was given a course of antibiotic and pain medication to go home. Emergency situations such as wounds and physical injuries can occur when caring for backyard chicken and it is important to be prepared. Paris was very lucky to get immediate veterinarian care and she recovered quickly over the course of two weeks. However, in situations where you are living in a distant location and are unable to get to a vet clinic promptly, here are some steps and the tools for emergency wound care.
Emergency wound care kit checklist:
- Medical grade Manuka honey/hydrophilic gels (Manuka honey has great antibacterial activity and hydration property and it is very safe to be used as a wound dressing).
- Bandage material: conforming stretch gauze, gauze sponge, vet wrap, water resistant surgical tape.
- 20cc, 30cc, or 60cc syringes (For creating higher pressure for wound flushing and draining).
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Aqueous chlorhexidine gluconate
- Gloves
- Multivitamin premix for chickens
- Clean towels
- Hospitalization pen (A clean, sanitized, quiet area to isolate the bird temporarily).
When birds are injured, it is important to isolate them in a clean, dry, and comfortable environment such as a hospitalization pen (can be small crates, dog kennel, DIY cardboard box). Isolation from the rest of the flock is especially important when blood is present to prevent injuries from pecking from other birds. Open wounds are very attractive to chickens and can stimulate pecking behavior. Ensure there is adequate padding in the hospitalization pen. Avoid concrete and wire flooring that may aggravate wounds (e.g. foot injuries) further. Birds may also be in shock after being injured so fresh water should be provided at all times. Multivitamins/electrolytes can be added to the water for extra nutritional support. Additional heat source may be added (**make sure the bird has enough space to move away from the heat source to avoid overheating).
Inspect the wound and the surrounding tissues carefully once the bird has been stabilized. A small towel can be used to cover the bird’s eyes to minimize stress. Trim feathers around the wound to optimize visualization and minimize contamination. Use a 30 or 60 cc syringe to flush the wound with chlorhexidine solution. Flushing with a syringe helps to create a high pressure to remove foreign material (e.g. rocks, dirt, wood chips). After that, rinse the wound thoroughly with lukewarm distilled water. After the wound is cleaned and disinfected, pad the wound dry and prepare for bandaging. Hydrophilic gels or medical grade manuka honey are great wound dressings. Apply a thin layer of manuka honey on the wound. For bandaging, gauze sponges can be used to pad the area before being wrapped with conforming stretch gauze/vet wrap and secured with surgical tape. Lastly, ensure that the injured bird is brought to a veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment.
