Official BYC Poll: Time for the Vet?

[Folly's place]

I want to mention that one big reason that very few veterinarians see poultry, is that very few owners will actually bring a bird in for treatment. It's a 'chicken/egg' situation; there's no incentive for a non-poultry owning vet to learn about them, if there are never any patients to treat.
'House bird' specialists aren't common, either, again, because of the limited client base. I've talked to avian specialists who have zero chicken experience in their practice.
None of use can do 'everything for everyone', but sometimes we might want help with a particular bird, or situation, and then it's hard to find help.
In Michigan, our state poultry expert at MSU has a list of veterinarians who would see poultry. This may be true in other state also.
Mary

 

[casportpony]

Here are mine on the way to the vet.





Here we are at the vet.

Peadawg on the exam table, the girls on the floor.

 

[Will the chicken guy]

I'm curious as to folks thoughts on veterinarians for our backyard birds. Please vote!


(Check out more Official BYC Polls HERE!)

Only circumstance is if they have a disease if the could kill the rest of my flock

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I am fairly certain there aren't any avian vets near me but I need to find out in case the time comes I would consider a vet. I love my birds and their life does have value to me . . however I'm uncertain how much $$$
I could justify spending when one vet bill would easily be way more than the monetary value of the bird
I guess it's one of those things I won't really know how I'm going to feel about it until the time comes.

 

[CCUK]

I think I'm quite lucky where I live as there is a poultry partnership only 2 minutes from where I live. They only charge £25 for a consultation + plus whatever meds you may need. They do fecal samples without consultation. Really friendly helpful people. They have helped me on numerous occasions. But the more problems you have with hens the more you learn to do yourself. But I can only get antibiotics or anything like that from the vet. I consider myself lucky in that respect.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I'm curious as to folks thoughts on veterinarians for our backyard birds. Please vote!

As a general rule the more sick chickens you treat and save the more sick chickens you will have that needs a vet.

 

[WVduckchick]

Ditto Dat^^^

I would have voted 'no vet ever' ....if it hadn't also said "it's just a chicken".
Pretty derogatory towards those who can't, or won't, afford that option.

Sorry! Was not meant to be derogatory. Was affectionately teasing, for those that wouldn't even consider it.
I can add more choices, but it won't let me edit the current list.

 

[orrpeople]

Sorry about Jack, LG. He's a beautiful bird.

I'm not sure what culling your healthy rooster has to do with the vet poll... or should I add "euthanasia only" to the list?

ArE you saying chicken folks get off topic?? "Hawk!!!"

 

[Wolfgang B.]

Last time I asked a livestock vet for advice on my chickens having worms his response was "Sir, you have 2 options: either I give you a dewormer after which you cannot eat their eggs ever again or option 2: you cull your entire flock right now "(remember:worms in poop!!)
That was the day I decided to ask for help in BYC

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Eh...I selected the "No way, never". I don't know...part of me says, "Yes, off to the vet!" as they are my feathered friends and all...but how much can a vet do for them? I think if something was wrong, I'd have to go the route of keeping them comfy until they made their way over the Rainbow Bridge...as God intended...