What do you wish veterinarians knew about chickens?

MarcoPollo said:

A while ago I considered taking a sick hen to the vet for an xray but decided at the last minute not to. I feared the stress would be too much and I also feared that euthanasia would be something I'd have to consider and (yes, I actually thought) that the staff would make fun of me for feeling emotionally devastated over a chicken.

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This is a very valid point, and one I have faced myself.

A few months ago one of my Momma Hens (with a single chick at foot) became very ill with egg yolk peritonitis and I duly took her to the vet for help. Upon examination the vet told me that whilst there were treatments he could administer, and that he was more than willing to try them, he felt that she was now at the point where her whole system was shutting down and that he doubted any treatment would be successful.

I made the choice to have her euthanized at the clinic (I applaud those who can do the duty themselves, but I am not that way inclined) and promptly burst into tears whilst holding onto my chicken saying goodbye.

The vet was very kind towards me, explained that I was doing what was best for my girl, and that she would not suffer any more. I had been so worried that I would be laughed at because I was getting upset over a chicken but there was no judgement at all.

I think this is one of the most important things that vets need to understand about treating chickens and dealing with chicken owners. Yes, some owners see their chickens as 'just chickens,' but there are some of us who get desperately attached to our birds. For one reason or another, they mean more to us than just eggs or meat.

The mechanics of health and prevention are essential, to be sure. But compassion will keep us coming back again and again.

My vet has developed a great interest in poultry, and recently operated on another of my hens who had an impacted crop. His comment prior to surgery was (and I quote) "I've seen this done before but have never done it myself." When I asked him how he felt about that he said "I'm excited to do it for you."

Bless my vet. The surgery was a success. And that hen is just as mad as ever!

I think we are both learning a lot from each other and my chickens.

- Krista

Corydg said:

Great thread. I'm a doctor of veterinary medicine "veterinarian" who has been in the field 23 years yet is 5 weeks into my first chicken experience (not including vet school, I now have 16 one to 6 week olds.
I have so much to learn and am studying/reading all I can. I'm obsessed and if I could make a living off of being a vet for chickens in addition to dogs, and cats I may someday do it. Just like your human doctor can not diagnose or treat over the phone, neither can we but someday I hope to contribute to the well being of chickens (besides my own of coarse.) , they are so rewarding. Unfortunately and fortunately, most of us vets can not offer free advice for numerous reasons including legal, needing to examine in person for a history, diagnosis, and treatment plan, and just like anyone else, make a living and most importantly a, balance work and life/stress.

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Hi Corydg! Nice to meet another person in this awesome field! Chickens are addicting, aren't they? I really miss having them here at school. I only have a little more than two years left though, so I think I can hold out. I'm just hoping I'm allowed to have chickens again. The poultry industry can be very strict when it comes to biosecurity!

I'm sorry that you two were worried about ridicule at the vet office! I can definitely see how that is a concern, especially when so much of the world sees chickens as food and livestock rather than pets. I know here in school we are constantly taught that every pet is important to their person, no matter how small or inexpensive it might have been. We have people regularly bring in mice, rats, and hamsters. While I don't think I could bring myself to spend that kind of money on a pocket pet, I applaud the people who care so much that they do. I also know that these pets are so special to their owners, and loss is devastating no matter the species of the pet. If you ever faced that problem at a vet office, I would definitely speak to the head vet about it and if nothing is done, then I would consider looking for someone who will have compassion for you in tough times. I deifnitely think that most of veterinary medicine is bed side manner. So much of what we do is supporting the owner (Which makes me laugh when people say they went into veterinary medicine because they didn't like people!)

These are all great ideas though! I will probably start making up my presentation soon!

Corydg said:

Unfortunately and fortunately, most of us vets can not offer free advice for numerous reasons including legal, needing to examine in person for a history, diagnosis, and treatment plan, and just like anyone else, make a living and most importantly a, balance work and life/stress.

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Point taken. Good point.
And it's nice to know there are vets out there willing to treat birds of the chicken variety. I think that I would opt to take my chicken to the vet in the future if needed.

krista74 said:

Yes, some owners see their chickens as 'just chickens,' but there are some of us who get desperately attached to our birds. For one reason or another, they mean more to us than just eggs or meat.

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Even though sometimes I wish it wasn't true, you just described me! Thanks for sharing your experience with taking chickens to a vet.

Corydg said:

Great thread. I'm a doctor of veterinary medicine "veterinarian" who has been in the field 23 years yet is 5 weeks into my first chicken experience (not including vet school, I now have 16 one to 6 week olds.
I have so much to learn and am studying/reading all I can. I'm obsessed and if I could make a living off of being a vet for chickens in addition to dogs, and cats I may someday do it. Just like your human doctor can not diagnose or treat over the phone, neither can we but someday I hope to contribute to the well being of chickens (besides my own of coarse.) , they are so rewarding. Unfortunately and fortunately, most of us vets can not offer free advice for numerous reasons including legal, needing to examine in person for a history, diagnosis, and treatment plan, and just like anyone else, make a living and most importantly a, balance work and life/stress.

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Corydg makes very good points. Advice from a professional does carry more responsibility than the advice from friends, family, anonymous folks like our emergencies forum.

But, there is a void of accessibility to those with poultry health training. Currently the only real Avian/Poultry health experts are involved at universities &/or commercial poultry operations. Both of which are quite different than a local veterinarian who treats your animal/fowl loved ones. With the growing numbers of people with pet chickens, the universities should incorporate at least electives in poultry treatment.

At present, most backyard flock owners turn to the membership, textbooks and other online informational sites to diagnose and treat our chickens. The county agents can access the university poultry experts to offer treatment protocols in some areas, but from past discussions it appears some county agents are not as helpful as mine.

There may be many, but I have stumbled across only one on line poultry vet - for a fee they will diagnose and treat. Personally, I would use such a service only if I knew the vet and their reputation. It seems that many of the common problems that come up could be diagnosed by good photos and recommendations and treatment RX could be offered in on line virtual visits. In the past, a medical college in our state used virtual visits in some underserved rural areas with live video/sound exams with success for human treatment.

Personally I have been lucky with my 6 hens. I mistreated them for lice/mites when all they had was feather picking. I had sleepless night over what turned out to be an insignificant beak injury and a mild leg strain. I study and read to try to be prepared for the "what if". I wish we all had access to a local veterinarian willing to treat poultry.

Good luck on your talk and studies.