How do you find a poultry vet?

[Kiki]

I don’t have any real concerns. This is our first time raising chickens and I want to make sure they’re good. They look and act like regular chickens but what do I know. . They free range for several hours a day and there was a suggestion on another thread that wild bird carry different things that can affect a back yard flock.

Chicken diseases are real.
Wild birds do carry "stuff" but it is my opinion that you are more likely to unknowingly bring home a diseased bird if you don't learn about biosecurity and practice it.
Know that people sell sick birds all day every day.
Be careful who you buy future birds from.
An ounce of prevention...you know the saying.
http://extension.uga.edu/publicatio...&title=Biosecurity Basics for Poultry Growers

 

[Tesumph]

I called a few local avian vets and they too did NOT see poultry.

Strange huh? I know for a fact you have to extensively learn chicken biology as a basis for all other bird medicine. Maybe it’s because they lean towards livestock animals and typically chicken owners don’t want to pay pet prices?

 

[Kiki]

Strange huh? I know for a fact you have to extensively learn chicken biology as a basis for all other bird medicine. Maybe it’s because they lean towards livestock animals and typically chicken owners don’t want to pay pet prices?

It is odd, especially after being on here for years and everyone saying to find an avian vet.
That is not the case here in Texas.
Avian vet does not mean chicken vet.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

I don’t have any real concerns. This is our first time raising chickens and I want to make sure they’re good. They look and act like regular chickens but what do I know. . They free range for several hours a day and there was a suggestion on another thread that wild bird carry different things that can affect a back yard flock.

This is my concern as well. We ve lots of wild birds, and every year I find a dead one and have to call animal control. In addition, I want to get my chicks vaccinated. And of course, just as I take my pets to the vet for a check up, I want to care for my new chicks. Thanks for this post. It's a great question. Happy day!

 

[Kiki]

This is my concern as well. We ve lots of wild birds, and every year I find a dead one and have to call animal control. In addition, I want to get my chicks vaccinated. And of course, just as I take my pets to the vet for a check up, I want to care for my new chicks. Thanks for this post. It's a great question. Happy day!

There are numerous things that you can vaccinate for.
Research them all.
Some do not actually prevent the disease.

 

[Kiki]

A great way to learn is to spend a while reading through ALL the threads here in the emergency forums.
You will learn so many things, I promise.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with the advice to check with your state veterinary path lab, or the veterinary school. Here in Michigan, the state expert at the path lab has a list of veterinarians who will see poultry.
While parrots and chickens are both birds, management is different, medications are different, and the incentive to learn 'chicken medicine' isn't there, unless the vet has birds herself. It's about time spent, when the vet might see one or two chickens per year.
Be persistant, and you may find someone. Especially someone who has chickens at home!
Mary

 

[Kiki]

All 50 state's state labs can be found here:
#1

 

[DigestingEnergy]

Many vets can handle non-surgical operations on chickens if you just ask. You would need a specialized poultry vet (some avian vets do see chickens, some do not) for major operations. However, you should be able to check them yourself. Their behavior compared to their past self and other similar chickens is a large sign. Also, you can easily check the chickens bodies. There is almost always scratches, open wounds, etc... on chickens if there is a injury. Another way you can determine how well they are doing is their feces. If they are healthy it should be dry, average size for the breed, and average timing. If it is not, then first check their diet. When testing, try to cut them back on anything but chicken feed. Many table scraps/chicken treats can cause diarrhea. Hope this helps!

 

[newchickenmom33]

All 50 state's state labs can be found here:
#1

Hmm. Looks like only if you need testing for sickness. I need to make friends with farmers or fellow chicken raisers. I’ll make a few calls to local vets and see what the advice is. They all seem healthy I just want peace of mind to ensure once they start laying all is well.