Most backyard chicken keepers resort to self-help to care for injured, sick and dying chickens at home due to the lack of access to a poultry veterinarian, but there are state and federal resources available to the poultry community that offer a variety of services. Those resources are listed by state below and include, each state veterinarian, each state’s Department of Agricultural Cooperative Extension Service poultry specialist and each state’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory.

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http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

Handling injuries, illnesses and death in a flock can be made less stressful by having information and supplies readily available. Have a well-stocked first aid kit & infirmary set up. Have a euthanasia plan; most vets will euthanize a sick or injured chicken even if theydo not routinely treat chickens.

Euthanasia by Cervical Dislocation
In my experience, the fastest, least gruesome and most humane method of euthanasia is cervical dislocation or “breaking” the chicken’s neck, which causes instant unconsciousness and death. While holding the chicken under non-dominant arm like a football, press its body very securely against your side. Place your dominant hand on top of the bird’s head with with your thumb at the base of the skull behind the head, fingers wrapping underneath the throat. With a very firm grip, quickly and firmly stretch and pull the head straight forward, away from the body while bending the neck up towards its back until a popping sound is heard, which signals the separation of the vertibrae and instant death. Continue to hold the bird securely until nerve activity has stopped.

Find an avian veterinarian nearby and keep their phone number in your chicken first aid kit.

A list of board certified avian vets can be found HERE.

Join me on Pinterest where I have a board dedicated to veterinarians who treat chickens!

Join me on Pinterest where I have a board dedicated to veterinarians who treat chickens!

Always contact your state animal diagnostic/pathology lab when a bird dies unexpectedly to schedule a necropsy to determine the cause of death. Some illnesses and diseases are contagious and the rest of the flock may be at risk. Each state lab is listed in red, below.

Instructions for preparing and storing a chicken for post mortem examination can be found here.

The USDA’s Veterinary Services offers a disease diagnostics consulting service with a veterinarian, free of charge. To speak with a USDA vet in your region, call 1-866-536-7593

ALABAMA

  • Auburn University: http://bit.ly/1bURc8c (334) 844-2345
  • Ag. & Animal Diagnostic Laboratory: http://1.usa.gov/1AwKzoM (334) 321-8700
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Anthony G. Frazier, State Veterinarian, 1445 Federal Drive Montgomery, AL 36107, (334) 240-7255 (344) 240-7198, [email protected]

ALASKA

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ARIZONA

ARKANSAS

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CALIFORNIA

COLORADO

CONNECTICUT

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DELAWARE

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

HAWAII

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IDAHO

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

IOWA

KANSAS

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KENTUCKY

LOUISIANA

  • Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1ELOAAR, (225) 578-9777
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Brent Robbins, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 1951 Baton Rouge, LA 70821, 5825 Florida Boulevard, Rm 1262 Baton Rouge, LA 70806, (225) 925-3962 (225) 237-5555, [email protected]

MAINE

MARYLAND

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MASSACHUSETTS

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

MISSISSIPPI

  • Dept. of Poultry Science: http://bit.ly/1B1FO0Q (662) 325-3416
  • Diagnostic Laboratory System: http://www.cvm.msstate.edu/animal-health-center/diagnostic-labs
  • State Animal Official: Dr. James A. Watson, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 3889 Jackson, MS 39207, 121 N. Jefferson St. Jackson, MS 39201, (601) 359-1170 (601) 35-1177, [email protected]

MISSOURI

MONTANA

NEBRASKA

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NEVADA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

NEW MEXICO

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NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH DAKOTA

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OHIO

OKLAHOMA

OREGON

PENNSYLVANIA

RHODE ISLAND

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SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH DAKOTA

  • South Dakota Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory: http://www.sdstate.edu/veterinary-biomedical-sciences/animal-disease-research-and-diagnostic-laboratory
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, State Veterinarian, 411 S. Fort St. Pierre, SD 57501, (605) 773-3321 (605) 773-5459, [email protected]

TENNESSEE

  • University of Tennessee County Extension Offices: http://bit.ly/1ExtEny (865) 974-7286
  • Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory: http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/article/ag-businesses-diagnostic-lab
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Charles Hatcher, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 40627 Nashville, TN 37204, 440 Hogan Road Nashville, TN 37220, (615) 837-5120 (615) 837-5250, [email protected]

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TEXAS

UTAH

VIRGINIA

VERMONT

  • Dept. of Animal and Veterinary Science: http://bit.ly/1IapC4c (802) 656-2070
  • Animal Health Laboratory: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/vael
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Kristin M. Haas, State Veterinarian, 116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05602-2901, (802) 828-2426 (802) 828-5983, [email protected]

WASHINGTON

WISCONSIN

WEST VIRGINIA

  • Dept. of Ag.: http://bit.ly/1Ea25JS, Call this number & ask for necropsy instructions: (304) 558-2206
  • West Virginia Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division, 60 B Moorefield Industrial Park Rd, Moorefield, WV 26836, Phone: (304) 538-2397
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Jewell Plumley, State Veterinarian, 60B Moorefield Industrial Park Rd Moorefield, WV 26836, (304) 538-2397 (304) 558-2214 (304) 538-8133, [email protected]

WYOMING

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[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Most backyard chicken keepers resort to self-help to care for injured, sick and dying chickens at home due to the lack of access to a poultry veterinarian, but there are state and federal resources available to the poultry community that offer a variety of services. Those resources are listed by state below and include, each state veterinarian, each state’s Department of Agricultural Cooperative Extension Service poultry specialist and each state’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory.

http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

Handling injuries, illnesses and death in a flock can be made less stressful by having information and supplies readily available. Have a well-stocked first aid kit & infirmary set up. Have a euthanasia plan; most vets will euthanize a sick or injured chicken even if theydo not routinely treat chickens.

Euthanasia by Cervical Dislocation
In my experience, the fastest, least gruesome and most humane method of euthanasia is cervical dislocation or “breaking” the chicken’s neck, which causes instant unconsciousness and death. While holding the chicken under non-dominant arm like a football, press its body very securely against your side. Place your dominant hand on top of the bird’s head with with your thumb at the base of the skull behind the head, fingers wrapping underneath the throat. With a very firm grip, quickly and firmly stretch and pull the head straight forward, away from the body while bending the neck up towards its back until a popping sound is heard, which signals the separation of the vertibrae and instant death. Continue to hold the bird securely until nerve activity has stopped.

Find an avian veterinarian nearby and keep their phone number in your chicken first aid kit.

A list of board certified avian vets can be found HERE.

Join me on Pinterest where I have a board dedicated to veterinarians who treat chickens!

Join me on Pinterest where I have a board dedicated to veterinarians who treat chickens!

Always contact your state animal diagnostic/pathology lab when a bird dies unexpectedly to schedule a necropsy to determine the cause of death. Some illnesses and diseases are contagious and the rest of the flock may be at risk. Each state lab is listed in red, below.

Instructions for preparing and storing a chicken for post mortem examination can be found here.

The USDA’s Veterinary Services offers a disease diagnostics consulting service with a veterinarian, free of charge. To speak with a USDA vet in your region, call 1-866-536-7593

ALABAMA

  • Auburn University: http://bit.ly/1bURc8c (334) 844-2345
  • Ag. & Animal Diagnostic Laboratory: http://1.usa.gov/1AwKzoM (334) 321-8700
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Anthony G. Frazier, State Veterinarian, 1445 Federal Drive Montgomery, AL 36107, (334) 240-7255 (344) 240-7198, [email protected]

ALASKA

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ARIZONA

ARKANSAS

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CALIFORNIA

COLORADO

CONNECTICUT

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DELAWARE

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

HAWAII

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IDAHO

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

IOWA

KANSAS

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KENTUCKY

LOUISIANA

  • Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1ELOAAR, (225) 578-9777
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Brent Robbins, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 1951 Baton Rouge, LA 70821, 5825 Florida Boulevard, Rm 1262 Baton Rouge, LA 70806, (225) 925-3962 (225) 237-5555, [email protected]

MAINE

MARYLAND

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MASSACHUSETTS

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

MISSISSIPPI

  • Dept. of Poultry Science: http://bit.ly/1B1FO0Q (662) 325-3416
  • Diagnostic Laboratory System: http://www.cvm.msstate.edu/animal-health-center/diagnostic-labs
  • State Animal Official: Dr. James A. Watson, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 3889 Jackson, MS 39207, 121 N. Jefferson St. Jackson, MS 39201, (601) 359-1170 (601) 35-1177, [email protected]

MISSOURI

MONTANA

NEBRASKA

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NEVADA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

NEW MEXICO

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NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH DAKOTA

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OHIO

OKLAHOMA

OREGON

PENNSYLVANIA

RHODE ISLAND

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SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH DAKOTA

  • South Dakota Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory: http://www.sdstate.edu/veterinary-biomedical-sciences/animal-disease-research-and-diagnostic-laboratory
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, State Veterinarian, 411 S. Fort St. Pierre, SD 57501, (605) 773-3321 (605) 773-5459, [email protected]

TENNESSEE

  • University of Tennessee County Extension Offices: http://bit.ly/1ExtEny (865) 974-7286
  • Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory: http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/article/ag-businesses-diagnostic-lab
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Charles Hatcher, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 40627 Nashville, TN 37204, 440 Hogan Road Nashville, TN 37220, (615) 837-5120 (615) 837-5250, [email protected]

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TEXAS

UTAH

VIRGINIA

VERMONT

  • Dept. of Animal and Veterinary Science: http://bit.ly/1IapC4c (802) 656-2070
  • Animal Health Laboratory: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/vael
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Kristin M. Haas, State Veterinarian, 116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05602-2901, (802) 828-2426 (802) 828-5983, [email protected]

WASHINGTON

WISCONSIN

WEST VIRGINIA

  • Dept. of Ag.: http://bit.ly/1Ea25JS, Call this number & ask for necropsy instructions: (304) 558-2206
  • West Virginia Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division, 60 B Moorefield Industrial Park Rd, Moorefield, WV 26836, Phone: (304) 538-2397
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Jewell Plumley, State Veterinarian, 60B Moorefield Industrial Park Rd Moorefield, WV 26836, (304) 538-2397 (304) 558-2214 (304) 538-8133, [email protected]

WYOMING

http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Most backyard chicken keepers resort to self-help to care for injured, sick and dying chickens at home due to the lack of access to a poultry veterinarian, but there are state and federal resources available to the poultry community that offer a variety of services. Those resources are listed by state below and include, each state veterinarian, each state’s Department of Agricultural Cooperative Extension Service poultry specialist and each state’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory.

http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

Handling injuries, illnesses and death in a flock can be made less stressful by having information and supplies readily available. Have a well-stocked first aid kit & infirmary set up. Have a euthanasia plan; most vets will euthanize a sick or injured chicken even if theydo not routinely treat chickens.

Euthanasia by Cervical Dislocation
In my experience, the fastest, least gruesome and most humane method of euthanasia is cervical dislocation or “breaking” the chicken’s neck, which causes instant unconsciousness and death. While holding the chicken under non-dominant arm like a football, press its body very securely against your side. Place your dominant hand on top of the bird’s head with with your thumb at the base of the skull behind the head, fingers wrapping underneath the throat. With a very firm grip, quickly and firmly stretch and pull the head straight forward, away from the body while bending the neck up towards its back until a popping sound is heard, which signals the separation of the vertibrae and instant death. Continue to hold the bird securely until nerve activity has stopped.

Find an avian veterinarian nearby and keep their phone number in your chicken first aid kit.

A list of board certified avian vets can be found HERE.

Join me on Pinterest where I have a board dedicated to veterinarians who treat chickens!

Join me on Pinterest where I have a board dedicated to veterinarians who treat chickens!

Always contact your state animal diagnostic/pathology lab when a bird dies unexpectedly to schedule a necropsy to determine the cause of death. Some illnesses and diseases are contagious and the rest of the flock may be at risk. Each state lab is listed in red, below.

Instructions for preparing and storing a chicken for post mortem examination can be found here.

The USDA’s Veterinary Services offers a disease diagnostics consulting service with a veterinarian, free of charge. To speak with a USDA vet in your region, call 1-866-536-7593

ALABAMA

  • Auburn University: http://bit.ly/1bURc8c (334) 844-2345
  • Ag. & Animal Diagnostic Laboratory: http://1.usa.gov/1AwKzoM (334) 321-8700
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Anthony G. Frazier, State Veterinarian, 1445 Federal Drive Montgomery, AL 36107, (334) 240-7255 (344) 240-7198, [email protected]

ALASKA

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ARIZONA

ARKANSAS

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CALIFORNIA

COLORADO

CONNECTICUT

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DELAWARE

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

HAWAII

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IDAHO

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

IOWA

KANSAS

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KENTUCKY

LOUISIANA

  • Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1ELOAAR, (225) 578-9777
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Brent Robbins, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 1951 Baton Rouge, LA 70821, 5825 Florida Boulevard, Rm 1262 Baton Rouge, LA 70806, (225) 925-3962 (225) 237-5555, [email protected]

MAINE

MARYLAND

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MASSACHUSETTS

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

MISSISSIPPI

  • Dept. of Poultry Science: http://bit.ly/1B1FO0Q (662) 325-3416
  • Diagnostic Laboratory System: http://www.cvm.msstate.edu/animal-health-center/diagnostic-labs
  • State Animal Official: Dr. James A. Watson, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 3889 Jackson, MS 39207, 121 N. Jefferson St. Jackson, MS 39201, (601) 359-1170 (601) 35-1177, [email protected]

MISSOURI

MONTANA

NEBRASKA

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NEVADA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

NEW MEXICO

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NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH DAKOTA

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OHIO

OKLAHOMA

OREGON

PENNSYLVANIA

RHODE ISLAND

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SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH DAKOTA

  • South Dakota Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory: http://www.sdstate.edu/veterinary-biomedical-sciences/animal-disease-research-and-diagnostic-laboratory
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, State Veterinarian, 411 S. Fort St. Pierre, SD 57501, (605) 773-3321 (605) 773-5459, [email protected]

TENNESSEE

  • University of Tennessee County Extension Offices: http://bit.ly/1ExtEny (865) 974-7286
  • Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory: http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/article/ag-businesses-diagnostic-lab
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Charles Hatcher, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 40627 Nashville, TN 37204, 440 Hogan Road Nashville, TN 37220, (615) 837-5120 (615) 837-5250, [email protected]

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TEXAS

UTAH

VIRGINIA

VERMONT

  • Dept. of Animal and Veterinary Science: http://bit.ly/1IapC4c (802) 656-2070
  • Animal Health Laboratory: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/vael
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Kristin M. Haas, State Veterinarian, 116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05602-2901, (802) 828-2426 (802) 828-5983, [email protected]

WASHINGTON

WISCONSIN

WEST VIRGINIA

  • Dept. of Ag.: http://bit.ly/1Ea25JS, Call this number & ask for necropsy instructions: (304) 558-2206
  • West Virginia Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division, 60 B Moorefield Industrial Park Rd, Moorefield, WV 26836, Phone: (304) 538-2397
  • State Animal Official: Dr. Jewell Plumley, State Veterinarian, 60B Moorefield Industrial Park Rd Moorefield, WV 26836, (304) 538-2397 (304) 558-2214 (304) 538-8133, [email protected]

WYOMING

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Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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