Please carefully read through ALL the rules/guidelines (yes there are a lot, but they are necessary for the safety for our members) to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding down the road. This group is based in the United States, with the majority of our members in the US. All advice given needs to follow the rules and regulations set forth for poultry in the US. These have been approved by our group creator Deb Haines.
- A… Recommending any of the list below will result in a mute and is grounds for automatic and possibly permanent removal (please review this list often for any changes).
- B… PMs are STRICTLY prohibited and will lead to permanent removal of the group. This includes PMing a vet or AC. You may message admins at our admin inbox CVC Admin
- C… GIFS, inappropriate Laugh/Angry reacts & inappropriate emojis are not allowed.
- D… Please do not comment “Follow” on a post if you’re not adding anything of value. It does not help the OP and it clutters the post. You may turn on notifications or save the post for later (image in comments on how to do both).
- E… Members can choose if they wish to receive advice from Vets and Approved Contributors only. RESPECT that, and don’t comment out of turn if an OP has requested this.
- F… Anonymous Posting & Colored Backgrounds are no longer allowed.
- G… NO sharing screenshots outside of our group. Specially not to mock members. Absolutely NO going into their personal pages to harass them, etc. Doing so will get you permanently banned from all our groups. This is a safe place for members to post. You are more than welcome to invite others to join so they may have access to the info in this group. If you see any of the above happen, please report it to CVC Admin.
- H… Absolutely no name-calling or being rude. Be nice or say nothing at all.
#2… Blu-Kote/Red-Kote, scarlet oil OR similar products. These products are harsh on wounds, damage tissue and slow healing.
#3… Ivermectin Pour On as it is designed for cattle skin and can damage the thin skin of a chicken. Instead, our vets recommend Injectable Ivermectin, topically or orally.
#4… Horse Pastes as dewormers (Ivermectin, Safe-Guard, Panacur, Parziquantel, etc.): There is no way to know without thorough analysis that the drug is evenly distributed in the paste. Any given “pea-sized” blob could have way too much or way too little. Correct, accurate dosage cannot be determined and that’s the danger. Too little only promotes resistance and too much could be toxic.
#5… Baytril, Metronidazole, Ronidazole, Tinidazole and any -zole antiprotozoal medication. They are illegal to use in food producing species in the United States and carry a lifetime egg withdrawal if used. The FDA considers ALL poultry a food producing species, even if you consider them “pets”. This is PROHIBITED for both male and female birds of ALL food producing animals: chickens, ducks, geese, turkey, quail, Guineas and all other poultry classified birds.
#6… Fish antibiotics and pet bird antibiotics, as many of them contain some medications in the same family as Baytril and Metronidazole and go against the new FDA regulations on prescription antibiotics.
#7… Prescription antibiotics are now regulated by the FDA in the USA. As we’re a US based group, we have to abide by FDA and US regulation. Vets and Approved Contributors may indicate to OPs that these can be requested to their vets, but prescriptions, directions and dosages MUST be left to the OPs vet.
- Oxytetracyclines (LA 200, LA 300), Penicillin, Sulfa-based antibiotics, Tylosin, Cephapirin & Cephapirin Benzathine, Tetracyclines, Erythromycin, Lincomycin, Spectinomycin, Gentamicin, Intramammary Products (Mastitis Tubes), Dihydrostreptomycin, Novobiocin, Oral Liquids and Boluses, Dihydrostreptomycin, Eye Ointments.
#8… Suprelorin, Deslorelin or any other hormone implants – hormone implants are illegal to use in poultry as they are a major food producing species. This includes both male and female birds of all species of poultry: chickens, ducks, geese, turkey, quail, Guineas and all other poultry classified birds. Extra Label Drug use (off label) is not allowed for food producing birds, *even if they are strictly pets.. Other countries may allow the use of hormonal implants, however this group is mainly US and we must adhere to FDA and US regulations.
#9… Aspirin, Tylenol, Motrin, Ibuprofen and adjacent pain medications. By the time an effective dose is reached, liver and kidney damage can occur. Instead, our vets recommend metacam/meloxicam. Please reach out to your vet for a prescription, dosage and directions.
#10… Colloidal Silver. There is not enough poultry specific information that studies the benefits vs. the risks. Silver Honey can be recommended: even though silver particles in silver honey are micro-particles as they are in colloidal silver, the SIZE of the particles in silver honey are much larger than colloidal silver. The larger size prevents them from being absorbed into the skin, they stay on the surface. The smaller silver particles do get absorbed in colloidal silver and that’s a problem.
#11… PRID and any drawing salve that contains Ichthammol. The vets of this group recommend against using prid as it is caustic to their skin. The preferred ointment is Silver sulfadiazine cream (Rx only). OTC preferred ointment would be Bacitracin Zinc.
#12… Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): By adding ACV (acetic acid) it lowers the amounts of good bacteria in the crop and digestive tract and there are not enough studies from actual poultry experts to show it has any health benefits. Additionally, when too much or not diluted enough, it can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus. ACV isn’t any more effective than regular vinegar, because the active cultures in the mother that require an aerobic (oxygen rich) environment are killed almost immediately in the anaerobic environment of a chickens crop.
#13… Vet RX: VetRx is NOT a treatment for respiratory diseases. The majority of respiratory diseases CANNOT be cured (birds will remain lifelong carriers). Some of the symptoms may be managed with appropriate antibiotics and VetRx may alleviate some of the milder symptoms, but it is in no way an actual treatment. It is not regulated by the FDA and they have not found it to be safe or effective. When a product is not regulated by the FDA there is no way to guarantee the quality, efficacy and safety of the ingredients used.
#14… Poly-vi-Sol with or without Iron – this is not an appropriate vitamin supplement for poultry. Poultry Cell or Nutri-drench may be used depending on shy supplementation is needed.
#15… Yogurt/Milk – chickens do not have the enzymes necessary to digest lactose.
#16… Toltrazuril – this is a compound medication and compound medications must be individually compounded for the specific bird otherwise it has no allowable off-label usage.
#17… Diatomaceous Earth (DE). DE can cause serious respiratory issues to humans and chickens.
#18… Gasoline/WD-40, Kerosene, etc. for the treatment of scaly leg mites. The fumes are not safe for chickens.
#19… Home surgery without proper pain management. This includes lancing, suturing, aggressively removing eye/sinus pus, draining fluid, bumblefoot, etc. If surgery is needed, at that point the humane option is to reach out to a vet.
#20… Sevin Dust, most Doktor Doom, and any pesticides not labeled for poultry. This includes all the topical flea and tick meds labeled for cats and dogs, all are illegal in the USA. Pesticides have no allowable off-label usage per the EPA. They must be directly labeled for poultry and the application directions must be followed to a T in order to have zero egg withdrawal. Dipping is not labeled for poultry. Sevin Dust specifically (Carbaryl) has been deemed illegal for use in food animals as of 2010 also has a lifetime egg withdrawal.
#21… Permethrin and Elector PSP dips/soaks. Both products must be applied as directed on the label – any deviation from the label nullifies the ZERO egg withdrawal and voids the manufacturer’s warranty, anything “claimed” by the manufacturer of a product of either spinosad or permethrin is claiming safety based on labeled use. Meaning, no Permethrin or Elector PSP dips. Please keep in mind Permethrin is highly toxic to cats.
#22… All medications that are NOT dosed in drinking water are dosed by the weight of the specific bird, they are not a one-size fits-all. These include, but are not limited to, TiaGard, Safe-Guard, Ivermectin. “Pea size” is NOT an acceptable measurement.
#23… This group is based on veterinary science, evidence-based medicine and thorough research – be prepared to support your opinion with facts if asked. Any web link or screenshot posted needs to be from a college, university, AG extension, written by a vet or have approval from admin. Links to purchase will no longer be allowed either.
#24… Options for product purchases: Amazon, Tractor Supply, Jeffers, Valley Vet, Walmart. Please remember it is your responsibility to do research on any vendors, our group is NOT affiliated with any of them, nor do we endorse them.
#25… No Oregano Oil, Turmeric, Milk Thistle, red pepper flakes, pumpkin as dewormer, herbal remedies, etc. As mentioned, our group is science and evidence based and there is not scientific evidence they work.
#26… The following are currently the ONLY recommendations to other groups/pages allowed: Crossbeak Poultry in Motion, Rooster Allies, Mareks and Leukosis Virus Information and Support. Any other recommended groups will be removed. This may vary at any time.
#27… Don’t tell someone to Google or YouTube something – either provide the correct information or say nothing. Google is not always our friend, especially when it comes to raising chickens. There is much misinformation out there.
#28… When suggesting that a member needs to cull their bird, explain why. Be helpful and understanding of their situation. Many people consider their birds pets and culling can be hard for them. If an OP already says they do not wish to receive culling feedback, don’t – respect that OP.
#29… When suggesting that a member needs to go to a vet, explain why. Be helpful and understanding of their situation. Not everyone has a vet easily accessible, be kind.
#30… Don’t suggest violent acts to “submit” a rooster, this includes but is not limited to hitting a rooster on the head with a PVC pipe. If you’re having trouble with an aggressive rooster, Rooster Allies is a great resource.
#31… Don’t suggest inhumane methods to deal with spurs such as “hot potato method” and twisting with tweezers. Birds are very good at hiding pain, doesn’t mean they don’t feel pain. Trimming and dremeling are fine if properly advised.
#32… Don’t suggest putting a bird upside down: it puts pressures in their organs and they can aspirate.
#33… Once a vet has responded, please refrain from commenting, unless asking a follow-up question. Admins reserve the right to delete any content after a vet has responded and permanently remove the offending member.
#34… When posting a question, please include as much information and pics as possible. If you wish to only have a vet/AC respond, please address your post accordingly.
#35… Please update your orginal post in the comments instead of making a new one – it will not be approved.
#36… Please do not delete your post if a Vet or AC has answered. This is a veterinary learning group and answered posts serve as learning tool for others who may one day have the same/similar issue. Deleting your post is grounds for permanent removal.
#37… Please become familiar with the units, where the files are and how to do a group search for previously answered posts. These are all valuable tools that can assist you with answering many common questions.
#38… Please do not friend request or PM the vets as it is rude and intrusive. They generously volunteer their time to the group as they can, but they have their own clinic patients and families that come first. Members who do so, will be permanently removed from the group.
#39… If your comment is deleted, don’t complain on the post it was deleted from – you may PM our support page CVC Admin if you have questions.
#40… Only questions pertaining to poultry birds: chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas, pheasants, peacocks, etc. will be allowed. We have 4 sister groups for other animals – in these groups only vets are permitted to respond:
- Pet Vet Corner – cats and dogs
- Exotic Vet Corner: wild birds, rabbits, fish, snakes, rats/mice, domestic pigs, hamsters, etc.
- Goat Vet Corner – goats, sheep, cows, farm pigs, llamas
- Horse Vet Corner – horses, donkeys, zebras
#41… Please keep in mind answers are not guaranteed and refrain from making snarky comments when your post does not get answered. Not all posts will get answered. Learn to help yourself and search the group as the majority of questions asked have been asked before.
#42… Due to an overwhelming increase in non-health related posts, we will no longer approve the following posts: what breed/sex is my bird, most feed questions except when a bird could be harmed, what killed my bird, shared posts, most coop questions. You may join and post in our sister group CVC: Social Lounge!
#43… Because of the overwhelming increase in post, as well, the following will now be referred to a group search: cause of death posts without a necropsy (home-made or from a lab) unless other birds are still at risk, “where to purchase” posts, “best dewormer” post, most dosage questions, vaccine questions, neuter questions, most “how to treat” questions. These have all been discussed at length in the past.
#44… We do not allow posting Reels – sometimes Facebook will turn your video into a Reel and sometimes it won’t, please don’t argue with admins. Instead, repost the video in the comments once approved, or add more videos/a photo so it’s not formatted as reel.
#45… Admins reserve the right to make a post Vet/AC only due to the nature of the topic/questions.
#46.. Admins reserve the right to mute/remove/ban anyone for violations to the above.
RVO Vet Corner Files 