Hens In Practice

Several BHWT staff took it upon themselves to hatch chicks of the non-feathery type last year (and another is due imminently), one of whom included BHWT Director of Operations Heather Elven.

However, despite having her hands full with an energetic toddler and a newborn, she still found time to pen an article which is appearing in renowned vet publication, In Practice.

The two-part series, the first of which was published in its January/February issue, provides vets with a starting point to feel more comfortable examining and treating backyard hens in their surgeries which, in turn, offers greater support for hen keepers. The articles focus primarily on pet chickens and encourage vets to get involved with further poultry learning as well as see more poultry in practice.

While the first article covers the general approach to vets seeing pet hens, the second focuses on improving welfare and management of backyard poultry. It offers advice which can be passed on to support hen keepers between consultations as well as how to improve health and welfare for hens with preventative medicines and veterinary advice.

The charity is beyond pleased and proud to see such an investment in backyard hen welfare on the pages, and indeed front cover, of such a prestigious and respected veterinary publication and hope this gives confidence to more vets faced with a pet hen in practice. As we have mentioned earlier in this issue, hens are now the fourth most popular pet in the UK but, despite this rise, there is reservation among hen keepers when approaching their vet practice for support, and from vets in providing advice as they feel ill-prepared to do so.

Once again, the BHWT is at the forefront of trying to change this from both angles, with Heather’s informative and excellent article adding another string to our bow.