FAQ
About us
Where are you located?
Avian Empire is a telemedicine service, so we don’t have a single physical location. Instead, we provide avian veterinary care online, supporting bird owners right across New Zealand. Whether you’re in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, or anywhere in between, you can access our services from the comfort of your home. Our team works with both backyard flocks and companion parrots, so no matter where you are, expert help is only a call away.
Do you have a physical clinic?
Not yet, but we do have plans to open one in the future. In the meantime, that doesn’t stop us from being able to help you wherever you are in New Zealand. Through our telemedicine service, you can access expert avian veterinary care from the comfort of your own home.
Who makes up Avian Empire?
Avian Empire is run by just the two of us. Dr Sam Hurley is our head veterinarian, with well over a decade of experience in the poultry industry. He not only leads our telemedicine service but also works hands-on with commercial poultry, regularly travelling across the country to support farms of all sizes.
Jemma McLean is an avian rehabilitation specialist with a strong background in bird care and welfare.
Between the two of us, we handle just about everything, consultations, commercial flock visits, website development, design, product formulation and manufacturing, dispatch, education, and more. From backyard pet birds to large-scale poultry operations, we’ve built Avian Empire to cover it all.
Products & Orders
What products do you stock?
At Avian Empire, we’re proud to offer our own exclusive range of bird health products, carefully developed by us. We genuinely believe they’re the best on the market, formulated with safety, quality, and results in mind.
Alongside our own line, we also stock a small selection of other trusted products that meet our high standards.
How do I place an order?
Ordering through our online store is simple:
- Browse our range and select the products you’d like.
- Click Add to Cart and then Checkout when you’re ready.
- Enter your shipping and contact details.
- Choose your shipping method.
- Complete your payment securely.
Once your order is placed, you’ll receive a confirmation email, and we’ll send you a tracking link as soon as your package is on the courier.
When will my order arrive?
We aim to dispatch all orders as quickly as possible. Packages are sent out Monday through Thursday via overnight courier. Please note that rural deliveries may take an extra 1–2 days to arrive.
What is your returns/refund policy?
You can find our full refund policy here
Telemedicine Consultations
Do you only do birds?
Yes, birds are our specialty. We work with all kinds of birds, from pet parrots and aviary species through to emus, backyard chickens, and large-scale commercial poultry farms. Whether it’s an individual companion bird or a flock of thousands, we provide tailored care and advice to meet their needs.
How do the telemedicine calls work?
- Choose a time – Pick the date and time that works best for your consultation.
- Confirm your booking – After payment, you’ll receive an email with a digital history form and a Zoom link for your appointment.
- Complete the form – Fill in the history form with as much detail as possible and submit it before your scheduled consult.
- Meet us on Zoom – At your appointment time, click the link and connect with our avian vet for your consultation.
What video platform do you use for the telemedicine calls?
We use Zoom for all our telemedicine consultations. It’s free, simple to use, and works on both phones and computers.
- On your phone or tablet: Download the free Zoom app from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (Android). Before your consultation, just tap the link we send you and it will open directly in the app.
- On your laptop or desktop: You can either join through your web browser (no download required) or use the free Zoom app if you prefer. Simply click the Zoom link we provide in your booking email, and it will open automatically.
We’ll send clear instructions with your booking confirmation, so connecting to your appointment is quick and hassle-free on any device.
If for any reason Zoom doesn’t work for you, we can always give you a phone call instead. All we ask is that you send through as many photos and videos of your bird as possible beforehand
What happens if I miss my appointment
We are very flexble
Commercial
Do you provide veterinary services for commercial poultry flocks?
Yes, Avian Empire offers veterinary services for commercial poultry farms across New Zealand. We provide on-farm visits, flock health assessments, disease testing, parasite control, worming programmes, nutrition advice, and vaccination planning. Whether you manage a layer farm, broiler operation, breeder flock, barn, or free-range system, we can help keep your birds healthy and productive.
You can also visit our commercial site https://avianempirepoultry.co.nz/
What regions do you cover for on-farm poultry visits?
We provide nationwide poultry veterinary services, travelling to farms throughout Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Manawatū, Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. No matter where you are in New Zealand, our team can arrange support tailored to your flock’s needs.
Can you help with worming and vaccination programmes?
Yes, we specialise in designing and managing worming programmes, vaccination schedules, and parasite management plans for commercial flocks. Our approach includes faecal egg count testing, resistance monitoring, and customised health plans to optimise bird welfare and production.
Bird Health & Common Concerns
What species do you work with?
At Avian Empire, we provide veterinary care for all bird species, from pet parrots, cockatiels, budgies, and canaries through to backyard chickens, aviary birds, pigeons, emus, and commercial poultry flocks. If it has feathers, we can help.
Do you see wild or rescued birds?
Yes, we can provide telemedicine consultations if you’re caring for a wild or rescued bird. We work closely with wildlife rehabilitators and rescue networks across New Zealand, helping with health checks, supportive care, and disease testing. If you have found an injured or sick wild bird, we can advise on the best next steps and connect you with your nearest rehabilitation centre with our helpful avian health map.
Do you give second opinions?
Yes, we are happy to provide second opinions on bird health cases. We offer this service directly to bird owners and also provide free second opinions to veterinarians who want our input. Our telemedicine platform makes it simple to review your bird’s case and give an expert, independent perspective.
Do you offer lab testing?
Yes, we provide a wide range of bird laboratory testing, including faecal egg counts (FECs), PCR panels, and disease screening. Many of these tests can be ordered directly through our website. Some results are delivered digitally, while others involve a simple testing kit that we’ll send out to you.
Can you help with diet and nutrition advice?
Absolutely. We have in-depth knowledge of avian dietary needs across a wide range of species, from parrots and finches to chickens and emus. We are also developing comprehensive diet manuals to help bird owners make the best nutritional choices. Our advice focuses on preventing common diet-related issues such as obesity, vitamin deficiencies, and fatty liver disease.
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