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.
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!
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
There’s an app for that?! The Kuddly app provides access to verified veterinarians around the world for a nominal fee. Poultry Veterinarian Dr. Annika McKillop is a participating poultry specialist on the Kuddly app. Get more information about this app HERE.
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
- State Veterinarian: http://1.usa.gov/1L7zBqh (907) 375-8215
- Diagnostic Lab: http://1.usa.gov/1PQNbEs
- State Animal Official: Dr. Robert Gerlach, State Veterinarian, 5251 Hinkle Road Anchorage, AK 99507, (907) 375-8215 (907) 929-7335, [email protected]
ARIZONA
- Arizona Dept. of Ag.: http://1.usa.gov/1L7zFq3 (602) 542-4373
- Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1FiNEbV (520) 621-2355
- State Animal Official: Dr. Perry Durham, State Veterinarian, 1688 West Adams Street Phoenix, AZ 85007, (602) 542-4293 (602) 542-4290, [email protected]
ARKANSAS
- Arkansas Extension Office List – By County: http://bit.ly/1PL6ZUt
- Veterinary Diagnostic Lab of the Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission: http://1.usa.gov/1JNy9bH, (501) 907-2430
- State Animal Official: Dr. George Badley, State Veterinarian, P.O Box 8505, 1 Natural Resources Dr., Little Rock, AR Little Rock, AR 72205, (501) 907-2400 (501) 907-2425, [email protected]
CALIFORNIA
- California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System: http://bit.ly/1ELMXmT (530) 752-8700
- Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1FoXISr
- State Animal Official: Dr. Annette Jones, State Veterinarian, 1220 N. Street Sacramento, CA 95814 2800 Gateway Oaks Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 900-5002, http://bit.ly/1E9Xl7b, (916) 900-5000 (916) 900-5332, [email protected]
COLORADO
- Colorado State University: http://bit.ly/1Kb0Qm4 (970) 491-6672
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1A78VVu (970) 297-1281
- State Animal Official: Dr. Keith Roehr, State Veterinarian, 700 Kipling St., Suite 4000 Lakewood, CO 80215
- Animal Import Requirement: http://1.usa.gov/1Hlnjfn
- CDA Animal Industry Division: http://1.usa.gov/1Hlnjfn, (303) 239-4166 (303) 239-4164, [email protected]
CONNECTICUT
- UCONN Dept. Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1cEjF2Y (860) 486-2413
- Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1FQMdll, (860) 486-4000
- State Animal Official: Dr. Mary Jane Lis, State Veterinarian, 165 Capitol Avenue, Room G-8A Hartford, CT 06106, (860) 713-2504 (Livestock) (860) 713-250 (Poultry), http://1.usa.gov/1Kb17W4, (860) 713-2505 (860) 713-2548, [email protected]
DELAWARE
- University of Delaware Ag.: http://bit.ly/1A79jDy
- Diagnostic Lab: http://bit.ly/1d2eMkg
- Poultry and Animal Health Section: http://1.usa.gov/1RQggOX (302) 698-4500
- State Animal Official: Dr. Heather Hirst, State Veterinarian, 2320 S. DuPont Highway Dover, DE 19901, (302) 698-4500 (302) 697-4451, [email protected]
FLORIDA
- University of Florida Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1bURXyj (352) 392-1981
- Florida Dept. of Ag. and Consumer Services: http://bit.ly/1A513UL, (386) 330-5700,
- Diagnostic Lab: http://bit.ly/1A513UL
- State Animal Official: Dr. Thomas J. Holt, State Veterinarian, 335 Mayo Bldg., 407 South Calhoun Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800, (850) 410-0900 (850) 410-0915, [email protected]
GEORGIA
- College of Ag. and Environmental Science: http://bit.ly/1JNz0sV
- Georgia Poultry Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1A513nV, (770) 535-5996
- Tifton Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1L7AdMJ, (229) 386-3340
- State Animal Official: Dr. Robert Cobb, State Veterinarian, 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., SW Atlanta, GA 30334-4201, (404) 656-3671, [email protected]
HAWAII
- Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1cEkf0A
- Veterinary Laboratory: http://1.usa.gov/1FiO0PB, (808) 973-9560
- State Animal Official: Dr. Jim Foppoli, State Veterinarian, 99-941 Halawa Valley St. Aiea, HI 96701, (808) 483-7111 (808) 483-7110, [email protected]
IDAHO
- Idaho State Dept. of Ag.: http://bit.ly/1Kb1xMg (208) 332-8570
- Animal Health Lab: http://bit.ly/1TKwnji
- State Animal Official: Dr. Bill Barton, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 7249 Boise, ID 83707 2270 Old Penitentiary RD Boise, ID 83712, (208) 332-8540 (208) 334-4062, [email protected]
ILLINOIS
- Centralia Animal Disease Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1H7lXzz (309) 344-2451
- Galesburg Animal Disease Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1Ponefo (309) 344-2451
- State Animal Official: Dr. Mark Ernst, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 19281 Springfield, IL 62794-9281, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., State Fairgrounds Springfield, IL 62794-9281, (217) 782-4944 (217) 558-6033, [email protected]
INDIANA
- County Offices: http://bit.ly/1PL7Swr
- Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1QPKJLu
- State Animal Official: Dr. Bret D. Marsh, State Veterinarian, Discovery Hall, Suite 100 1202 East 38th Street Indianapolis, IN 46205, (317) 544-2400 (317) 542-1415, [email protected]
IOWA
- Dept. of Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1TKxCyW (515) 294-2160
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/23mOTEq
- State Animal Official: Dr. David D. Schmitt, State Veterinarian, 502 East 9th Street Des Moines, IA 50319, (515) 281-5547, http://bit.ly/1KSnjRP, (515) 281-5305 (515) 281-4282, [email protected]
KANSAS
- Animal Sciences and Industry: http://bit.ly/1ICZosg
- Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab: http://bit.ly/1RQhmKx
- State Animal Official: Dr. William L. Brown, Animal Health Commissioner, 109 SW 9th Street, 4th Floor Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-2326 (785) 296-1765, [email protected]
KENTUCKY
- Dept. of Animal & Food Sciences: http://bit.ly/1PonsTT (859) 257-2686
- Univ. KY Veterinary Diagnostic Lab: http://www.vdl.uky.edu/LaboratoryServices/Sections/Necropsy.aspx, (859) 257-7112
- State Animal Official: Dr. Robert Stout, State Veterinarian, 100 Fair Oaks Lane, Suite 252 Frankfort, KY 40601, (502) 564-3956 (502) 564-7852, [email protected]
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
- University of Main Animal and Veterinary Science: http://bit.ly/1JNzS0L (207)581-2770
- Maine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1PL8emK (207) 581-2788
- State Animal Official: Dr. Beth McEvoy, Acting State Veterinarian, State House, Station 28 Augusta, ME 04333-0028, (207) 215-0948 (207) 624-5044, [email protected]
MARYLAND
- Animal and Avian Science: http://bit.ly/1Hlofk2 (301) 405-1366
- Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratories: http://1.usa.gov/1PL8jGS (410) 543-6610
- State Animal Official: Dr. Guy Hohenhaus, State Veterinarian, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401, (410) 841-5810 (410) 841-5999, [email protected]
MASSACHUSETTS
- Diagnostic Testing Services: http://1.usa.gov/1IaDObY (617) 626- 1795
- Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University
- Contact EEA: http://www.mass.gov/eea/contact-eea.html (617) 626-1700
- State Animal Official: Dr. Lorraine O’Connor, State Veterinarian, 251 Causeway St., Suite 500 Boston, MA 02114-2151, (617) 626-1795 (617) 626-1850, Lorraine.o’[email protected]
MICHIGAN
- Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health: http://bit.ly/1HirTbC
- State Animal Official: Dr. Steven L. Halstead, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 30017 Lansing, MI 48909, 525 W. Allegan Lansing, MI 48933, (517) 373-1077 (517) 241-4502, [email protected]
MINNESOTA
- Dept. of Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1JZ4Sja (612) 624-2722
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1FoYuPq (612) 625-8787
- State Animal Official: Dr. William L. Hartmann, State Veterinarian, 625 North Robert St. St. Paul, MN 55155, (651) 296-2942, http://bit.ly/1e5KaPV, (651) 296-2942 (651) 296-7417, [email protected]
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
- Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1ID01Ch (573) 882-8336
- Laboratory Animal Diagnostics: http://bit.ly/1His4nj
- State Animal Official: Dr. Linda Hickam, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 630 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0630, 161 Missouri Blvd. Jefferson City, MO 65109, (573) 751-3377 (573) 751-6919, [email protected]
MONTANA
- Diagnostic Lab: http://1.usa.gov/1ID06G2 (406) 994-4885
- State Animal Official: Dr. Martin Zaluski, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 202001 Helena, Mt 59620-2001, 301 N. Roberts Montana, MT 59620-2001, (406) 444-2976, http://www.liv.mt.gov, (406) 444-2043 (406) 444-1929, [email protected]
NEBRASKA
- Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1EMh7am (402) 472-6451
- Veterinary Diagnostic Center: http://bit.ly/1ID09Sf (402) 472-1434
- State Animal Official:, Dr. Dennis A. Hughes, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 94787 Lincoln, NE 68509-4787, 301 Centennial Mall South Lincoln, NE 6509-4787, (402) 471-2351 (402) 471-6893, [email protected]
NEVADA
- County Locations: http://bit.ly/1A7bDKM
- Dept. of Ag.: http://1.usa.gov/1GcUVuv
- Animal Diagnostic Lab: http://agri.nv.gov/Animals/Animal_Disease/Animal_Disease_Home/
- State Animal Official: Dr. Phil LaRussa, State Veterinarian, 405 South 21st St. Sparks, NV 89431, (775) 353-3718, http://1.usa.gov/1FdmkKV, (775) 353-3755 (775) 353-3659, [email protected]
NEW HAMPSHIRE
- Uni. Of NH Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1EMhthj (603) 862-2758
- New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1Poo7o6 (603) 862-2726
- State Animal Official: Dr. Stephen K. Crawford, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 204 Concord, NH 03302-2042, State House Annex, 2nd Floor 25 Capitol St. Concord, NH 03229, (603) 271-2404 (603) 271-1109, [email protected]
NEW JERSEY
- County Locations: http://bit.ly/1ID0DYs
- Animal Health Diagnostic Lab: http://bit.ly/1Fdmwd6 (609) 406-6999
- State Animal Official: Dr. Manoel Tamassia, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 330 Trenton, NJ 08625-0330, 3 Schwarzkopf Dr. Ewing, NJ 0628, (609) 671-6400 (609) 671-6413, [email protected]
NEW MEXICO
- Veterinary Diagnostic Services: http://bit.ly/1IFVhKu
- State Animal Official: Dr. Dave E. Fly, State Veterinarian, 300 San Mateo NE – Ste. 1000 Albuquerque, NM 87108, http://bit.ly/1ID0LHq, (505) 841-6161 (505) 841-6160, [email protected]
NEW YORK
- Animal Health Diagnostic Lab: http://bit.ly/1LMaDNC
- Dept. of Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1PookYz
- Office Locations: http://bit.ly/1B1GCmA
- State Animal Official: Dr. David Smith, State Veterinarian, 10 B Airline Drive Albany, NY 12235, (518) 457-3502 (518) 485-7773, [email protected]
NORTH CAROLINA
- Dept. of Poultry Science: http://bit.ly/1L7C6sx
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System: http://bit.ly/1cEmQrq (919) 733-3986
- State Animal Official: Dr. David T. Marshall, State Veterinarian, 1030 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1030, Rm. 566, Ag. Bldg. 2 West Edenton Street Raleigh, NC 27601, http://bit.ly/1B1GLGv, (919) 733-7601 (919) 733-2277, [email protected]
NORTH DAKOTA
- Dept. of Ag.: http://1.usa.gov/1L7CfMJ
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1PL9GW3 (701) 231-7527 or (701) 231-8307
- State Animal Official: Dr. Susan J. Keller, State Veterinarian, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 602 Bismarck, ND 58505, http://1.usa.gov/1PooQpp, (701) 328-2655 (701) 328-4567, [email protected]
OHIO
- Dept. of Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1PL9IgE (614) 292-6401
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1A522o7 (614) 728-6220
- State Animal Official: Dr. Tony Forshey, State Veterinarian, 8995 E. Main St. Reynoldsburg, OH 43068, http://1.usa.gov/1PooVcL, (614) 728-6220 (614) 728-6310, [email protected]
OKLAHOMA
- Dept. of Animal Science: http://bit.ly/1KSpZ1U (405) 744-6062
- Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1L7CxmJ (405) 744-6623
- State Animal Official: Dr. Rod Hall, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 528804 Oklahoma City, OK 73152, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 3152, (405) 522-6141, http://bit.ly/1Ea0bt1, (405) 522-0270 (405) 522-0756, [email protected]
OREGON
- Dept. of Animal and Rangeland Sciences: http://bit.ly/1IFWiCa (541) 737-3431
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1A52aUw (541) 737-3261
- State Animal Official: Dr. Brad LeaMaster, State Veterinarian, 635 Capitol St., NE Salem, OR 97301-2532, (503) 986-460 (503) 986-4734, [email protected]
PENNSYLVANIA
- Offices Locations: http://bit.ly/1RQlIl4
- Animal Laboratory Diagnostics: http://bit.ly/1e5LT7F (814) 863-0837
- State Animal Official: Dr. Craig Shultz, State Veterinarian, 2301 N, Cameron St. Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408, (717) 772-2852, [email protected]
RHODE ISLAND
- Disease Laboratory: http://1.usa.gov/1QdzsTg
- Dept. of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science: http://bit.ly/1A7ecMT
- State Animal Official:, Dr. Scott Marshall, State Veterinarian, 235 Promenade Street, Rm 370 Providence, RI 02908, (401) 222-2781 (401) 222-6047, [email protected]
SOUTH CAROLINA
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences http://bit.ly/1e5LUZp (864) 656-3428
- Veterinary Diagnostic Center: http://bit.ly/1L7CUxR (803) 726-7831
- State Animal Official: Dr. Boyd Parr, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 102406 Columbia, SC 29224-2406, 500 Clemson Rd. Columbia, SC 29229, (803) 788-226 (803) 788-8058, [email protected]
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]
TEXAS
- Dept. of Poultry Science: http://bit.ly/1A52iTY (979) 845-1931
- Dept. of Veterinary Pathobiology: http://bit.ly/1bUW6lO (979)845-5941
- Diagnostic Lab: http://bit.ly/1FFVP0W
- State Animal Official: Dr. Dee Ellis, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 12966 Austin, TX 78711, 2105 Kramer Lane Austin, TX 78758, (512) 719-0777, http://bit.ly/1QPOaBS, (512) 719-0704 (512) 719-0719, [email protected]
UTAH
- Dept. of Animal and Food Science: http://bit.ly/1FdosC9 (866) 672-2984
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1KSqOb8 (435) 797-1895
- State Animal Official: Dr. Bruce L. King, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 146500 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6500, 350 North Redwood Rd. Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6500, (801) 538-7164, http://1.usa.gov/1A52kLA, (801) 538-7162 (801) 538-7169, [email protected]
VIRGINIA
- Dept. of Animal and Poultry Science: http://bit.ly/1B1Ht6S
- VA Dept Ag Animal Health Lab. Services: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-animal-health-laboratory-services.shtml
- State Animal Official: Dr. Ricard L. Wilkes, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 1163 Richmond, VA 23218, Oliver W. Hill Building, Rm.165 102 Governor St. Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 692-0601 (804) 371-2380, [email protected]
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
- Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab: http://bit.ly/1KSsHVd
- State Animal Official: Dr. Leonard Eldridge, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 42560 Olympia, WA 98504-2577, 1111 Washington Street Natural Resources Bldg. Olympia, WA 98504-2577, (360) 902-1878, http://1.usa.gov/1bUYDw6, (360) 902-1881 (360) 902-2087, [email protected]
WISCONSIN
- Ag. & Life Science: http://bit.ly/1ELTzRZ
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1A7hZcS (608) 262-5432
- State Animal Official: Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt, State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 8911 Madison, WI 53708-8911, 2811 Ag. Dr. Madison, WI 53708-8911, (608) 224-4874 (business hours only) (608) 224-4879 (automated- 24 hrs/day) http://1.usa.gov/1Kb6cOi, http://1.usa.gov/1PoqI1t, (608) 224-4872 (608) 224-4871, [email protected]
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
- County Dept. List: http://bit.ly/1GcZYuV
- Veterinary Laboratory: http://bit.ly/1FiPSb4
- State Animal Official: Dr. Jim Logan, State Veterinarian, 610 Fairgrounds Rd. Riverton, WY 82501, Main Office: 1934 Wyott Dr. Cheyenne, WY 82002, (307) 777-7515 (307) 857-4140 (307) 857-6380, [email protected]
