Hen Watch Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 (edited) Can anyone point me in the direction of a vet they have used in West Berkshire that is good with chickens? I'm in Wokingham, so Bracknell, Reading areas also good for me. I've looked on the FAQ vets sticky at the 3 in Berks. The Reading chap's website says exotic birds of mainly psittacines - parrots, macaws, budgies, cockatiels, also some waterfowl, finches, raptors but it doesn't mention chickens. The Pangbourne vet isn't practical. But the Hall Place Vet in Maidenhead is closer and a possible unless anyone has any other local experiences. Thanks Katy Edited April 6, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 We use a vet in Henley who are absolutely brilliant with chickens - they actually have people there who know what they are talking about. Also kind and sympathetic. Disappointed in some Reading vets, they only seem to see chickens and farm animals and are reluctant to treat. Will look up name of our vet..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 The Veterinary Centre 271 Reading Road Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1EL 01491 574490 They have been brilliant with our girls..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 Thank you Henhathnofury, I will give them a try. But if anyone has any others too I would welcome knowing as Henley is OK for me but still a bit of a trek with a poorly chook. Don't want to stress her out too much with the journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I know what you mean. We were so disappointed that very local vets were so hopeless.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baggins Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Hi, I have recently moved away from Reading ... we always used an exotic pet vet, Bruce Maclean, on the London Road near the Royal Berkshire Hospital (http://www.herpvet.co.uk/BEAVS%20Information%20&%20Policies.htm). Bruce was always great with our girls - extremely helpful, thorough and sympathetic, and also very cheap. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Yes another vote for Bruce Maclean here. I think he may be the one you refer to who only does exotics. He does do chickens too. He is absolutely wonderful with my girls - kind sympathic, very caring and, best of all, willing to try every time. He's even seen one on a Sunday evening and only charged us the going rate. He recently broke his hip and was still willing to see my girls even though he was on crutches and then in a wheelchair! An absolute diamond! Best of all, he's recently expanded his opening hours and got a secretary so is much more available. Being a one man band, the only thing he doesn't do is take credit cards, only cash or cheques. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 That's very interesting! Thanks for that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 Thanks Baggins and Lydia, I confess I didn't ring him but I looked at his website and it only mentioned lots of exotic birds and that's why I presumed he didn't do chickens since they are more farm yard animals. But if you've both used him for chickens and then I feel more reassured and near the hospital is close for me too. I'm keeping an eye on my "under the weather" chook and hoping over the weekend she will perk up and not need a vet. But I wanted to know where to go if I do need to call one soon. Fingers crossed I won't but thanks all for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 thanks for asking this as I'm not that far away in Abingdon. Haven't needed one yet (fingers, everything crossed!) but it's good to be prepared. Personnel recommendation is so much better than a list. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 I rang The Vetenary Centre in Henley-on-Thames who've been recomended on this forum and also on the Vets list in the FAQ. And guess what....... they have a branch in Twyford, Berkshire which is just down the road from me. Twyford have limited hours Mon-Fri and are for consultations only (for any procedures the animals are taken to the main centre in Henley). Whilst they don't specialise in chickens they have seen quite a number of chickens. Been today and had it confirmed that Stella is not egg bound but rattely breathing and possible infection or some other underlying cause. She was given two injections plus some medication to take home (cost me £30). The vet I saw was great with Stella. So perhaps a Mod can add them to the Berkshire Vet list in FAQ but with a note that they see chickens but don't claim to be specialists. The Veterinary Centre (Twyford Branch Surgery) 23 Hurst Rd Twyford Berkshire RG10 0AG 0118 9340259 (diverts to Henley out of hours) http://www.any-uk-vet.co.uk/twyford/index.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I didn't know there was a branch in Twyford! So glad that it was OK - I am sure that Stella will be on the mend soon. We took in a hen with a horrifically high temperature to the Henley branch last year...she had a urinary infection, so had an injection and recovered almost straight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I have put a thread up with a link to the 'findavet' guide where you can search nationally for vets that treat poultry - others might find this useful in the future. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...