Backyard Poultry
Gain familiarity and confidence in managing backyard poultry cases, focusing on individual animal care and small flocks rather than commercial production systems.
Backyard poultry has grown in popularity across New Zealand. As more people keep chickens and other poultry as pets or for egg production, veterinarians are more likely to encounter them in their practice. Understanding the needs and health challenges of backyard poultry, veterinarians can offer better care, ensure compliance with regulations, help prevent disease, and support the growing trend of poultry ownership.
Description
Dates
Available 1 September - 24 October 2025.
- Tutorial 1: 7pm, Tuesday 23 September
- Tutorial 2: 7pm, Tuesday 28 October
Audience
All veterinarians wanting to increase
their knowledge in managing the health and wellbeing of backyard poultry.
Format
Self-directed online course with two tutor-led tutorials. Participants will receive 12 months access.
Topics
1. Introduction to backyard poultry medicine and client communication
- Overview of backyard poultry trends, client motivations, and common breeds
- Basic anatomy and physiology relevant to backyard poultry care
- Legal and ethical considerations in backyard poultry practice
- Building trust and rapport with backyard poultry owners
- Effective communication strategies for client education and preventive care
- Setting realistic expectations and addressing limitations in care
2. Biosecurity, housing, and environmental management
- Importance of biosecurity in backyard settings and preventive measures
- Common pathogens, modes of transmission, and tailored biosecurity strategies
- Key elements of proper housing (ventilation, space, lighting, enrichment)
- Seasonal management, predator protection, and addressing environmental stressors
- Educating clients on sanitation, biosecurity, and practical environmental care
3. Nutrition and feeding practices
- Nutritional needs for different life stages (chicks, layers, broilers)
- Types of feed, supplements, and dietary adjustments
- Recognizing and preventing nutritional deficiencies
- Impact of diet on health, immunity, and egg quality
- Special feeding strategies for conditions like molting, winter, and breeding
4. Reproductive health and egg production
- Basics of avian reproductive physiology
- Common reproductive disorders (e.g., egg binding, prolapse) and their management
- Identifying and addressing egg quality issues
- Counseling clients on reproductive health and maintaining productivity
- Knowing when to refer for specialized reproductive care
5. Common diseases and conditions
- Overview of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases in backyard flocks
- Recognition and management of respiratory, enteric, and skin conditions
- Zoonotic disease risks and precautions for owners
- Developing treatment protocols, including considerations for off-label drug use
- Counseling on humane euthanasia for severe cases
- Common external (mites, lice) and internal (worms) parasites in chickens
- Diagnostic and treatment options for parasite control
- Routine parasite prevention and client education
- Impacts of parasites on flock health and productivity
- Integrating parasite management into flock health practices
7. Supportive care for backyard chickens
- Providing hydration, nutrition, and pain management for sick or injured birds
- Techniques for assisted feeding, hydration support, and reducing stress
- Recognizing when supportive care is needed and when to refer to specialists
- Educating clients on supportive care options for home management
- Role of supportive care in improving recovery outcomes
8. Emergency and critical care
- Common emergencies (trauma, heat stress, toxicity) in backyard chickens
- Triage, stabilization, and first aid techniques
- Differentiating between home care and clinic treatment needs
- Basic wound care, fracture management, and splinting
- Supporting clients with end-of-life decisions and humane options
- Techniques for sample collection (blood, faecal, etc.) in poultry
- Interpreting common lab results and diagnostic applications
- Necropsy for disease identification and flock health insights
- Use of diagnostic imaging in backyard poultry care
- Creating comprehensive diagnostic plans for complex cases
10 Practical case studies in backyard poultry medicine
- Real-life cases covering nutrition, biosecurity, reproductive issues, and emergencies
- Step-by-step diagnostic and treatment approaches
- Case discussions on best practices and effective problem-solving
- Lessons learned and building confidence in backyard poultry care
- Interactive scenarios to reinforce knowledge and client communication skills
11. Avian influenza
- Understand the basic pathophysiology of avian influenza
- Identify clinical signs of avian influenza in backyard poultry
- Monitor backyard poultry for avian Influenza
- Understand testing procedures and protocols for avian influenza
- Follow proper PPE protocols
- Ensure safety for practitioners and clients
- Understand the reporting pathways for avian influenza
Tutors
Sam Hurley BSc BVSc MAHM
Avian Empire
With a fascination for animals and birds in particular. Sam started his career studying wildlife ecology in British Columbia, Canada. His interests span many topics such as agriculture, animal welfare, integrated pest management, entomology among others. Sam has extensive poultry medicine expertise and continues to accumulate clinical work with an array of avian clients.
Jemma McLean BDes.(Hons)
Avian Empire
From a young age, Jemma has demonstrated a profound connection with birds, engaging in the nurturing, rescuing, and rehabilitation of numerous native and introduced bird species in New Zealand throughout her life. With a wealth of expertise and hands-on experience in bird husbandry, Jemma recognized the demand for a service that provides accessible and reliable avian professionals to cater to the needs of anyone seeking assistance with their feathered companions.
Cost
NZVA members: $700 | Non-members: $1400
Contact
Shannon Leader
Events Manager
vetlearn@vets.org.nz