citation_inspection

At time of inspection the following animals were identified as needing veterinary care: - Two turkey hens had significant feather loss on their wings and backs. These two hens were observed to be self plucking feathers on their backs. - Light Braham hen had significant feather loss on her back. - One small white rooster had feather loss on his neck and chest. One large red rooster in the same enclosure had significant feather loss on his neck, chest, and left wing. -One brown hen had feather loss on her wings and back. - One cream hen had feather loss on her wings and back, and one cream rooster had significant feather loss on his neck and chest. -One grey hen had significant feather loss on her wings and back. -Six chickens were housed in a "sick pen" in the middle row of bird pens. The avian caretaker was treating these birds for unspecified illnesses with oral oxytetracycline. One chicken was found dead in this enclosure during the inspection. The caretaker had not consulted with a veterinarian regarding the health problems observed in these birds or the treatments he was administering. The written program of veterinary care on file does not include birds. There were no observation records for the above animals or treatments administered. The facility contacted a new attending veterinarian regarding the feather loss, but she has not visited the facility yet. The facility did not contact or consult with the veterinarian about the birds in the sick pen being treated with oxytetracycline. Feather loss can be caused by many factors including: an aggressive rooster, overbreeding, molting, mites, parasites, bacteria or fungal infections, poor nutrition, stress, boredom, bullying, and feather pulling. Open red exposed skin can lead to more aggression from other birds in the enclosure resulting in injuries and death. Birds that appear sick can be due to a variety of health conditions that require consultation with the veterinarian for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Licensee must establish and maintain a program of adequate veterinary care that includes the use of appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries. The turkeys and chickens listed above must be examined and treated as directed by the attending veterinarian to prevent worsening of the conditions and unnecessary suffering. Additionally, the licensee must provide documentation of such examination and treatments to APHIS officials upon request.

The green shelter in the middle row housing a mixture of 51 chickens had accumulations of excreta covering the metal roof. Excreta and food waste must be removed from enclosures as often as necessary to prevent excessive accumulations. Failure to clean accumulations of excreta and food waste can increase disease hazards, insects, pests, and odors. Licensee must ensure animal enclosures are kept clean to prevent accumulations of excreta and food waste.