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Backyard Chicken Keeping for Happy, Healthy, and Friendly Chickens

Chicken Health, Chicken Keeping ·

Taking Your Chicken to the Vet in Puerto Rico

Having a health issue with your chicken? Thankfully, there are several veterinary practices in Puerto Rico that will see chickens! As chicken keepers, we all want the best for our flocks health and just like any other animal, your chickens may need the help of a vet at some point.

Gallina vet en Puerto Rico

There aren’t as many vets who treat chickens compared to those who see standard pets like cats, dogs, and other small animals. Fortunately, more people are beginning to bring their chickens to the vet. Some chicken keepers I’ve spoken with have said they would take their chickens to the vet if the option were available to them.

In this post, we’ll discuss why your chicken might need to see a vet, the types of vets who treat chickens, my personal experiences, how to transport them safely, essential first aid supplies to keep on hand, and where to find chicken vets in Puerto Rico.

Why Take Your Chickens to the Vet?

There are many reasons you might need to take your chickens to the vet. From simple fecal float tests to check for worms to diagnosing illnesses within your flock. During times on unknown illnesses having access to a knowledgeable vet is so important for the health of your flock. While many issues can be treated at home, having a vet on hand for more serious conditions or when you’re unsure is invaluable.

  • Fecal Testing for Worms: Regular fecal tests can help you avoid resistance and unnecessary deworming. I only use monthly natural worm preventatives and have only treated for worms with an actual dewormer once a fecal float test came back positive for round worms.
  • Diagnosing Illness: A vet can help identify the cause of lethargy, loss of appetite, crop issues, bumblefoot, or other signs of illness.

What Kind of Vet do You Take Your Chicken To?

Typically you will want to look for an Avian Veterinarian. They will see a variety of birds, chickens included. As more and more people request to bring their chickens in for veterinary care, I hope to see more vets willing to see chickens.

If you do not have an Avian Vet in your area on the island, it is possible your small animal vet may do some things, like a fecal sample testing to test for various things, like worms and parasites. It doesn’t hurt to ask – and ask around if they know of someone who would see chickens.

Gallina Puerto Rico

My Experience Taking Chickens to the Vet in Puerto Rico

Viper and Bumblefoot

I discovered that my chicken, Viper, had bumblefoot on both feet. After trying various home treatments like Epsom salt soaks and PRID drawing salve, I noticed one foot wasn’t healing as expected. After attempting to remove the infection myself and encountering excessive bleeding, I decided it was time for a vet visit to ensure everything was looking OK and there wasn’t an infection I was missing.

Chicki and Unknown Illness

Chicki, usually the first to run out during free-range time, suddenly became lethargic and didn’t want to stand, eat, or drink. After a full check at home revealed nothing obvious, I monitored her closely, but her condition didn’t improve. It was another case where a vet’s expertise was necessary.

Chicki went in, the vet checked her all over, listened to her lungs and ran a fecal test to see if she had the presence of any parasites. Her fecal came back negative and they determined I needed to keep her inside and continue to monitor her and let her rest. I’m happy to say after about a week she made a full recovery! I think she really got used to the house chicken life – you can watch Chicki’s review of her stay here on the chicken insta.

Worms and a Surprise Diagnosis

When I saw worms wiggling around in my flock’s droppings, I took multiple fecal samples to the vet. Getting a fecal float done can help tremendously as certain dewormers only target specific worms. If you just deworm without knowing, you risk treating your flock with something that won’t work and adding to the strain on their body they don’t need.

To my surprise, the tests came back positive for both roundworms and Coccidiosis. This was particularly shocking since everyone in the flock was eating medicated chick starter (I had young pullets not yet ready for layer feed), yet only my older, two-year-old chickens were affected. It was late August, and my older chickens were going through their annual molt, which can be tough on their bodies and make them more susceptible to illness.

Gallo Puerto Rico

Chicken Vets in Puerto Rico

Finding a vet who sees chickens can be challenging, but luckily there are several avian veterinarians in Puerto Rico who can help.

Medical Zoo Animal Hospital in Carolina

This is where I’ve taken my chickens on multiple occasions, including for fecal testing. The staff is careful with the chickens and provides clear instructions for at-home care. They’ve always managed to get me in for same-day appointments.

Medical Zoo Animal Hospital Website
Location: Ave. Roberto Clemente bloq.24 #61, Carolina, 00985

Clinica Veterinaria San Agustin in San Juan

For those in the San Juan area, there is an avian vet available who can see chickens. I have not been to this vet before but if you are in the San Juan, area this may be the vet for you.

Clinica Veterinaria San Agustin Facebook Page
Address: 26 Calle Marginal, Urb San Agustin, San Juan, 00923

Chicken Vet in Puerto Rico

How to Transport Your Chicken Safely

Transporting your chicken safely to the vet isn’t too hard with the right supplies.

  • Use a Secure Carrier: Make sure your chicken is in a well-ventilated carrier like this one (think a hard plastic cat carrier)
  • Make it Safe and Comfy: Fill the carrier with shavings so your chicken isn’t slipping around. Even better if you can add a shelf mat like this on the bottom on the bottom of the carrier then put your shavings on top. This will help prevent them sliding around on your travels.
  • Vet Check-In: When you arrive, request that the vet staff ensure no other animals are around if they need to weigh them in the reception area and that someone be by the front door so if your chicken were to escape, they couldn’t get outside.
Gallina Puerto Rico

Keeping Your Chickens Healthy

Caring for your chickens goes beyond just vet visits—it also involves everyday practices that keep them healthy and thriving. Two essential components of maintaining a healthy flock are feeding them a quality diet and having a well-stocked first aid kit on hand. Let’s dive into both.

Quality Feed for a Healthy Flock

Proper nutrition is the foundation of your chickens’ health. Whether you’re raising chicks, pullets, layers, or a flock with hens and roosters, choosing the right feed ensures they get the nutrients they need to stay strong, lay quality eggs, and fight off potential illnesses.

During one of my recent vet visits, my vet suggested that switching to a higher-quality feed could really help improve my flock’s overall health. I had them on a local feed at the time, but I was noticing issues with weak eggshells, even though they had constant access to a calcium supplement.

For chicken keepers in Puerto Rico, I’d recommend checking out The LucKy Horse. Laura, the owner, is great at getting quality feed shipped in, not just for chickens but for other animals too. You can also order things like grit, oyster shell, and more, which can make a big difference in keeping your flock healthy.

I now have everyone on the Nutrena Layer feed and they are loving it!

Keeping a First Aid Kit for Your Flock

Having a well-stocked first aid kit can be a real lifesaver for any chicken keeper. It’s always a good idea to be prepared, so here are a few items I like to keep on hand. Check out what I keep in my chicken first aid kit here.

Do You Know a Great Chicken Vet in Puerto Rico?

If you know of a great veterinarian in Puerto Rico who also sees chickens, let me know in the comments below! Sharing resources can help all of us keep our flocks healthy and happy.

Find Chicken Vets in the United States and United Kingdom

Not in Puerto Rico and need to find a chicken vet? If you are in the states check out the Poultry DVM vet directory and if in the UK check out the resources on the British Hen Welfare page.

This post was all about finding a chicken vet in Puerto Rico. After learning about why your chickens might need a vet, how to find one, my chicken vet experiences, safe transport tips, and what to keep in a well-stocked first aid kit for at home care, you will be well-prepared to care for your flock!

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