How to do a necropsy?

[ckfard]

Anyone done one before? I need to know how so I can get it done. If they are not eating straw, then I need to determine what is going on. They have clean food, water, bedding and yard. They are well cared for. I have a neighbor who does not like them and may be feeding them some thing. I need to make sure there is not another explanation and hopefully keep it from happening again. Thanks!

 

[sonew123]

you know Ive done many necropsies on mice-not familiar with chickens-but look for an enlarged liver-or kidneys-discoloration of kidneys-look on the inside of the stomach lining for burns-poison?

 

[chickbea]

I know people on here have done them before, and I have even seen pics. However, I'm an old woman, and my memory...it's not what it once was. Try looking in dlhunicorn's info.

 

[HidingInTheHenHouse]

I have recently started doing necropsies on all my deceased chickens to try and determine why some are dying. Have you ever butchered any chickens for meat before? I can walk you through what to look for, but it will help if you already know what "normal" looks like.

 

[mypicklebird]

Are you asking about how to do a basic necropsy at home, or where to send a bird to have it tested?
Calling a local poultry extension agent, your state vet, the closest teaching veterinary hospital, or your closest vet who sees birds- should get you a mailing address and forms to fill out to send in a bird to be tested for various infectious diseases. These necropsy reports usually also contain info on what parasites the chicken had, cultures for infectious agents, and specific damage to tissues, tumors ect. They do not in general screen for toxins, but damage to certain organs might be compatible with certain toxins. Cost is often the cost of postage.

If you are talking about doing a necropsy at home- all you are going to find is really obvious stuff like crop full of grass, large roundworms, egg yolk peritonitis, large tumors ect. You will not be able to do the fine detail things that need microscopes and tissue fixation, cultures ect. You also need to know normal anatomy to recognize abnormal anatomy. ie abnormal heart, liver, kidneys, thickened sciatic nerves from Marek's...

Doing home necropsies can be interesting, and sometimes give you an answer- but often the cause is not visible to the naked eye....

 

[ckfard]

Thanks for the responses. I will call my vet tonight and see who they would recommend. If they can't help then I will call around to the places suggested. I don't have a lot of money so if I can have it done cheaply, it would be a good thing. I'm not familiar with internal organs of a chicken, but I'm a pretty quick study. Would rather leave it to the professionals though. Thanks.