Keeping and caring for animals can be rewarding but it can just as easily be frustrating when things go wrong. You are bound to have medical and/or husbandry emergencies from time to time if you are dealing with livestock on a daily basis. Living creatures can become ill, injure themselves or destroy equipment that needs to be repaired immediately. Keeping that in mind I recommend that every bird keeper create an emergency tool kit in advance of really needing it.

The kit should be compact and kept in the same location at all times. This avoids having to search through the whole house trying to find it when an emergency arises. I’ve compiled a list of basic items to include in your kit. Depending upon what type of birds you work with some items may not be necessary or you may wish to add some other specialty item that’s not on my list. This article’s aim is to get you thinking about what your specific requirements might be.

1)      A container. A small molded plastic toolbox works well. Soft-sided pouches are also available. Pick one with several compartments to keep things organized. There are also bucket toppers that make handy tool containers. A company called Duluth Trading Company has a pretty neat assortment of both soft-sided tool bags and bucket toppers.

            2)      Maintenance tools-

             These are items that come in handy

             making equipment repairs.

2.1) Needle nose pliers. Use these to bend wire for quick patches on damaged cages. They are also handy for pulling out broken blood flight feathers.

2.2) Wire cutting dyke pliers. Great for snipping wire when making cage repairs.

2.3) End cutting pliers. Use to cut wires that are hard to reach.

2.4) Band cutting pliers. Safely remove leg bands.

2.5) Hog ring pliers- Hog rings are great for attaching welded wire patches over cage openings.

2.6) Screw drivers. A flat one for slotted screws and prying (forgive me Dad) open bent wire hinges on cages, hog rings, etc. A phillips head one for phillips head screws.

2.7) Flashlight

3)Bird maintenance tools.

3.1) Sharp straight scissors. Keep one pair just for wing clipping.

3.2) Toe nail clippers for obvious reasons.

3.3) A hand towel. Using a hand towel is the most effective way to safely immobilize a large bird when examining the bird or clipping wings or toenails. It can also be draped over the cage door opening when you are reaching inside the cage to catch small birds. Use it like a curtain to prevent escapes while you are trying to net one bird out of a flight cage.

3.4) Emory boards or nail file for smoothing over rough cut nails.

3.5) Mill file. Handy for filing nails and beaks of larger birds.

3.6) Catch net. Keep a small one on hand for use inside cages, and a larger long handled one to capture escapees.

3.7) Candling light or wand. Use to see if eggs are fertile.

4) First aid tools and equipment.

4.1)      Styptic powder. Available at pet-supply stores and some drug stores. It quickly and safely stops bleeding when a toenail is cut too short, or a blood flight feather breaks.

4.2)      Betadine, or merthiolate to disinfect wounds.

4.3)      Hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect wounds. It also helps to stop bleeding.

4.4)      Cotton tipped swabs- Use to apply styptic powder or disinfectants. Also help to stem bleeding.

4.5)      Vet Wrap. This is a type of tape that only adheres to itself so it is safe to use on birds. It comes in a variety of widths and colors. Available at pet-stores, feed stores and vet clinics.

4.6)      Quikon Med- A natural medication for intestinal disorders.

Depending on your own needs you may want to add other items like hemostats, tweezers, and gauze pads. Develop the kit to suit your specific needs and you’ll be prepared for any emergency.