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

 

[PioneerChicks]

I don't go to the vet because of the cost and because I prefer natural methods. I believe that the natural way is healthier for the chickens, but I understand that others may feel differently. But if one of my chickens is very sick I either go to BYC or I have some very educated chicken friends I can ask.

Great poll!

 

[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.

 

[Folly's place]

Amazing!

 

[casportpony]

Amazing!

What's amazing was the affordability! The office visit was only $20 more to bring 4 birds, so instead of taking just the two sick ones, I took the four.

 

[clickchicks]

This feels like such a hard question.

I've only had my birds for a little over a month and I've already spent a lot of money at he vet, and still couldn't save one that passed away.

I would do anything I could to save a pet... dog, cat, chicken, whatever. But it also feels like I learned the hard way that throwing money at a problem can't always fix it, and I guess it just comes with experience and time learning which battles to pick

 

[Folly's place]

So true! And only experience, and learning, will show you how to move forward. Many issues with chickens that can be repaired if it were a mammal, just won't go well with a bird.

 

[Mylied]

When I first started out, my chicks were attached to my hip and grew into hens that followed me everywhere and would take naps in my lap. One started to choke or that's how it looked. I called every vet within 50 miles if not more. The only one even willing to look wanted to charge me $250 and said there was probably nothing they could do. Several told me to put her down and get another. I tried my best to help her but watched her die.

So I started learning how to care for my own birds. I decided to go to college and I now have a BS in vet technology so understand the basics of wound care and parasite treatment, things like that. On top of almost 10 years of taking care of my birds. I can do everything short of surgery and I've actually done crop surgery. I've learned sometimes you can't do anything but I do try my best. I've lost many but I've saved many.

Anyway, avian vets in rural areas are not a thing. And at this point even if there was one, I wouldn't take a bird in. I help my friends when I can too. And I keep learning every day.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

This may sound cavalier or uncaring and is definitely not the intent. I care for my girls as if they were my children, they want for nothing and they are treated with the respect they deserve with being said in the end they are a $4.00 bird. They will receive the absolute best health care I can give them and will never suffer unduly and if need be will be dispatched with all the dignity and sympathy we can give them. The wonderful knowledgeable people here can advise in many health/emergency issues and we are confident WE can care for our flock for many many years.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I voted for the fourth option. If the injury or illness is something I can treat on my own, then I will do so. If it's something really bad, then I will take her to the vet.
I've only had to take a chicken to the vet once, and that was when she suddenly declined overnight. She unfortunately passed on the way home.