Chicken Owners Scramble When Pets Feel Foul

The thought has crossed my mind - what would I do if one of my chickens gets sick?  A family friend sent me a copy of her Wall Street Journal, which had an article on the front page titled "Chicken Owners Scramble When Their Pets Feel Foul"  You can read the online article in full here: WSJ Chicken Article

According to the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, there are about 260 members in good standing.  However, most of those poultry vets work in the food industry.  So how many vets are out there that could properly treat a chicken?  I could see why previously, poultry veterinarians were not in high demand because as the WSj article states - "If there is something wrong with a commerical chicken,  'It's cut its head off and find out what's wrong with the flock" mentality.  But when you bring the recent increase in backyard chickens into the picture - the whole game is changed.  Once you name a chicken and you have raised them from the time they were only a few weeks old - I would never be able to have the "cut its head off mentality". 

And I am not the only one out there raising backyard chickens that are treated like pets!  According to the WSJ article, the US Department of Agriculture does not track statistics on backyard husbandry (the care, breeding of crops and animals) however, the popular site backyardchickens.com has over 220,000 members. Feel free to check out the website at: Backyard Chicken Website 

I utilized this website when I was first researching chickens - what breed of chickens should I get, what should I feed them, when can I feed them certain veggies, etc.  The backyard chicken website offers forums that allow members to ask questions related to a certain topic and then other members can comment and provide insight/their experiences to answer your question.  Then members, like myself, have the ability to search for topics or questions that have already been asked to view the responses.  It serves as an online database that houses the most random information about raising chickens.  Not sure I would have been able to raise my chickens without the help and guidance I received from the Backyard Chicken site - because let's be honest, I didn't exactly know what I was doing :)

For example, when Izzie got attacked by a fox – I searched “fox attacks” in the forums on Backyardchicken.com to see how to treat a chicken in shock.  I was provided with a plethora of information on how to care for her, the average recovery time and what symptoms to looks for if the injury was getting worse.  

I also researched “curly toes” on the backyard chicken site.  Ever since we got the chickens, Izzie has had curled toes.  At first I did not think it was a big deal, but then I realized it may be affecting how she is able to hunt and peck around the yard.  When they are younger they rely on the instinct to “scratch” the ground for food.  And since her toes were curled under, she was not able to truly scratch.  But according to other backyard chicken farmers, as long as the chicken is able to eat and seems to be growing (which Izzie is plenty big!), then the chicken will be fine. 

The knowledge that other share is very helpful when dealing with a minor health issue or for researching, but there are also detailed pictures/videos of how to care for life threatening diseases and injuries.  I will say, self treatment is NOT for the faint of heart.  I do not know if I would take a scalpel and operate on my own chicken for bumblefoot.  It definitely is venture at your own risk and be prepared to close your eyes if you have a weak stomach. 

It is comforting to know that there are many other backyard chicken farmers who experience the same difficulties.  But also, with more people turning to self-sufficient, grow-local lifestyles, the trend and professional discussions of chicken raising is a hot trend at vet conferences.  According to the WSJ article, “We’re responding to the need” (of more poultry veterinarians).

So the question comes down to this: would I reach out to seek medical help for my backyard chickens if the medical condition was life threatening? – yes.  Would I try to treat the chicken myself, if possible? – yes.  Do I also realize that sometimes the natural circle of life is necessary and as with any animal or pet, it may be in the best interest to end the chicken’s life? – yes. 

I am hoping that I don't have to make any of those decisions in the near future, but you never know.  It has been a fun adventure so far... hoping the fun continues! And for right now, I am going to enjoy the eggs!