Avian Empire Blogs
Chicken & Poultry Health
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Egg Binding in Chickens | The Truth Behind the ...
Egg binding is one of the most frequently mentioned “emergencies” among backyardchicken owners, yet in reality, it’s one of the rarest conditions we actually see in poultrypractice.
Egg Binding in Chickens | The Truth Behind the ...
Egg binding is one of the most frequently mentioned “emergencies” among backyardchicken owners, yet in reality, it’s one of the rarest conditions we actually see in poultrypractice.
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Poultry First Aid Kit | Essential Supplies for ...
Owning poultry is full of surprises, and chances are, your flock will find a way to get into trouble when you least expect it. From minor cuts and scrapes to...
Poultry First Aid Kit | Essential Supplies for ...
Owning poultry is full of surprises, and chances are, your flock will find a way to get into trouble when you least expect it. From minor cuts and scrapes to...
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Lead Poisoning in Birds: Signs, Diagnosis and T...
Lead exposure is an overlooked risk for backyard chickens, particularly around older homes and contaminated soil. Learn the signs of lead poisoning, how it is diagnosed and treated, and why...
Lead Poisoning in Birds: Signs, Diagnosis and T...
Lead exposure is an overlooked risk for backyard chickens, particularly around older homes and contaminated soil. Learn the signs of lead poisoning, how it is diagnosed and treated, and why...
Parasites & Pest Control
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External Parasites in Poultry NZ | Lice, Mites ...
External parasites are a common issue in backyard poultry and can have a significant impact on bird health and welfare. Parasites such as red mites, lice and other blood- or...
External Parasites in Poultry NZ | Lice, Mites ...
External parasites are a common issue in backyard poultry and can have a significant impact on bird health and welfare. Parasites such as red mites, lice and other blood- or...
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Keeping Mosquitoes Away From Chickens | Natural...
Warm evenings, still water, and happy hens pecking in the yard, it all sounds idyllic, until the mosquitoes arrive. These tiny visitors might seem like a minor annoyance, but for...
Keeping Mosquitoes Away From Chickens | Natural...
Warm evenings, still water, and happy hens pecking in the yard, it all sounds idyllic, until the mosquitoes arrive. These tiny visitors might seem like a minor annoyance, but for...
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Tapeworm in Chickens | Species, Symptoms & Trea...
Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that rob chickens of vital nutrients and can damage the gut lining. Backyard and free-range flocks are particularly at risk because most poultry tapeworms depend on...
Tapeworm in Chickens | Species, Symptoms & Trea...
Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that rob chickens of vital nutrients and can damage the gut lining. Backyard and free-range flocks are particularly at risk because most poultry tapeworms depend on...
Bird Health & Veterinary
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Natural Doesn't Always Mean Better: Rethinking ...
We often assume natural means safer, gentler and healthier. But what does “natural” actually tell us about a poultry health product? We take a closer look at natural remedies, safety,...
Natural Doesn't Always Mean Better: Rethinking ...
We often assume natural means safer, gentler and healthier. But what does “natural” actually tell us about a poultry health product? We take a closer look at natural remedies, safety,...
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Ivermectin Dosing in Birds NZ | Avoiding mg vs ...
As avian veterinarians, one of the most common medication errors we see is significant overdosing of macrocyclic lactone drugs such as ivermectin, moxidectin and eprinomectin. In most cases, this is...
Ivermectin Dosing in Birds NZ | Avoiding mg vs ...
As avian veterinarians, one of the most common medication errors we see is significant overdosing of macrocyclic lactone drugs such as ivermectin, moxidectin and eprinomectin. In most cases, this is...
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Natural Approaches to Canker Management in Birds
Canker (avian trichomoniasis) is a serious protozoan disease that causes obstructive lesions in birds, especially pigeons and doves. While drugs remain the mainstay of treatment, rising resistance and residue concerns...
Natural Approaches to Canker Management in Birds
Canker (avian trichomoniasis) is a serious protozoan disease that causes obstructive lesions in birds, especially pigeons and doves. While drugs remain the mainstay of treatment, rising resistance and residue concerns...
Bird Nutrition & Supplements
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Bird Gut Health After Antibiotics | Probiotics ...
Antibiotics save lives. But they don’t come without consequences. When we use antibiotics in birds, we’re not just treating infection, we’re disrupting an entire ecosystem.
Bird Gut Health After Antibiotics | Probiotics ...
Antibiotics save lives. But they don’t come without consequences. When we use antibiotics in birds, we’re not just treating infection, we’re disrupting an entire ecosystem.
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Chicken Feed Shelf Life | How Long Does Poultry...
Many chicken keepers assume that if feed looks fine and smells normal, it’s still good to use. But poultry pellets and mash don’t store indefinitely, and one of the biggest...
Chicken Feed Shelf Life | How Long Does Poultry...
Many chicken keepers assume that if feed looks fine and smells normal, it’s still good to use. But poultry pellets and mash don’t store indefinitely, and one of the biggest...
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Layer Feed & Roosters | Why Calcium Harms Mixed...
Backyard chicken keeping has become incredibly popular across New Zealand. Many flocks include a mixture of hens and roosters, which can work well socially, but it creates one of the...
Layer Feed & Roosters | Why Calcium Harms Mixed...
Backyard chicken keeping has become incredibly popular across New Zealand. Many flocks include a mixture of hens and roosters, which can work well socially, but it creates one of the...
Veterinary Insight
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Veterinary Care, Cost & Antimicrobial Stewardsh...
To those shaping the future of veterinary practice. We are being asked to do better. We are being asked to practise with greater awareness of antimicrobial resistance, to uphold the...
Veterinary Care, Cost & Antimicrobial Stewardsh...
To those shaping the future of veterinary practice. We are being asked to do better. We are being asked to practise with greater awareness of antimicrobial resistance, to uphold the...
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Avian Vet Shortage in Aotearoa | Why Bird Owner...
Birds are being left behind in New Zealand. At Avian Empire, for the past 2 years we have been asking every client one simple question: Do you have a vet who...
Avian Vet Shortage in Aotearoa | Why Bird Owner...
Birds are being left behind in New Zealand. At Avian Empire, for the past 2 years we have been asking every client one simple question: Do you have a vet who...
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Poultry Telemedicine vs In-Person Vet Exams | W...
Telemedicine, encompassing video consultations, photo-based assessments, and remote flock-monitoring tools, has become an increasingly valuable supplement, and in some cases an alternative, to traditional on-farm veterinary visits for poultry. This evolution...
Poultry Telemedicine vs In-Person Vet Exams | W...
Telemedicine, encompassing video consultations, photo-based assessments, and remote flock-monitoring tools, has become an increasingly valuable supplement, and in some cases an alternative, to traditional on-farm veterinary visits for poultry. This evolution...
Bird Rehabilitation & Welfare
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The Inner Life of a Chicken | What Science Reve...
Have you ever felt judged? Not by a fellow human being, nor by the silent disapproval of a neighbour across the fence, but by a creature draped in feathers… watching...
The Inner Life of a Chicken | What Science Reve...
Have you ever felt judged? Not by a fellow human being, nor by the silent disapproval of a neighbour across the fence, but by a creature draped in feathers… watching...
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Interview series: Working with birds - Annemiek...
Tune in, because every month we are going to be interviewing bird rehabilitators from all over New Zealand! This week, veterinary nurse and rehabilitator extraordinaire, Annemieke Kregting, founder of Kuaotunu Bird Rescue.
Interview series: Working with birds - Annemiek...
Tune in, because every month we are going to be interviewing bird rehabilitators from all over New Zealand! This week, veterinary nurse and rehabilitator extraordinaire, Annemieke Kregting, founder of Kuaotunu Bird Rescue.
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The Bird Rehab Toolbox: Essential Tools for Wil...
What should you keep in a bird rehabilitation toolkit? From crop needles and scales to heat panels, nebulisers and nets, this practical guide covers the tools I reach for most...
The Bird Rehab Toolbox: Essential Tools for Wil...
What should you keep in a bird rehabilitation toolkit? From crop needles and scales to heat panels, nebulisers and nets, this practical guide covers the tools I reach for most...
Sam's Monthly Blogs
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Monthly Avian Insights with Dr Sam Hurley (Sept...
As hens return to laying after winter, their bodies undergo major hormonal and physical changes. For overweight hens, this seasonal shift can increase the risk of fatty liver disease. Learn...
Monthly Avian Insights with Dr Sam Hurley (Sept...
As hens return to laying after winter, their bodies undergo major hormonal and physical changes. For overweight hens, this seasonal shift can increase the risk of fatty liver disease. Learn...
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Monthly Avian Insights with Dr Sam Hurley (Augu...
This month's edition covers practical bird health topics every owner should know, including cleaning and biosecurity, common household cleaning myths, seasonal health advice, and the latest insights from Dr Sam...
Monthly Avian Insights with Dr Sam Hurley (Augu...
This month's edition covers practical bird health topics every owner should know, including cleaning and biosecurity, common household cleaning myths, seasonal health advice, and the latest insights from Dr Sam...
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Monthly Avian Insights with Dr Sam Hurley (July...
When a chicken suddenly becomes paralysed, Marek's disease is often the first concern. This month, Dr Sam Hurley explores Marek's disease, Marek's-like neuropathies, supportive care, recovery potential, and why not...
Monthly Avian Insights with Dr Sam Hurley (July...
When a chicken suddenly becomes paralysed, Marek's disease is often the first concern. This month, Dr Sam Hurley explores Marek's disease, Marek's-like neuropathies, supportive care, recovery potential, and why not...
