How do you properly necropsy a dead chicken?

[LikeTurkeys]

Okay, I'm not sure this is the right section for this and I know this is kind of an awkward question. When a chicken dies and you want to do a necropsy to determine the cause of death, how would you proceed? As in, do you gut it like you would when preparing a bird for the table? Do you drain the blood out, do you take the skin with feathers off.. etc. When I did mine, I just began gutting the same way I would if I were doing it for the table, and I was rather displeased. I think the feathers got in the way, and also a lot of the organs seemed damaged when I was finished. So... how do you do your necropsies?
Thanks.

 

[Eggcessive]

It might help to look at a few of the articles and videos to see how vets do them. I usually do just a partial one to look at the major internal organs where something obvious may be seen. Many of the articles are more in depth than I do, but important in some cases. When I cull the bird, I drain the blood, but I don’t if the bird dies on it’s own. I like to see the inside of the gizzard and crop, the liver, heart, intestines, and oviduct. When I first cut through the abdominal wall, I look for yellow fluid from ascites, and large amounts of fat since I have dealt with that several times. Here are some links that might help:
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/sites/gateway/files/A visual guide to a chicken necropsy.pdf
http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-perform-necropsy-autopsy-on.html

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am by no means very good at necropsy. I usually try to carefully open the skin and start "peeling" away from there.

Did you happen to take some photos of the one you did?

Cornell has a series of videos (11 of them) the link to those is at the bottom of their article. Probably start at video Chapter 2 opening the bird, but I think the videos are more geared toward the pros, but it would give you some tips https://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/veterinarians/avian-necropsy-examination


This youtube video may also be helpful

 

[LikeTurkeys]

It might help to look at a few of the articles and videos to see how vets do them. I usually do just a partial one to look at the major internal organs where something obvious may be seen. Many of the articles are more in depth than I do, but important in some cases. When I cull the bird, I drain the blood, but I don’t if the bird dies on it’s own. I like to see the inside of the gizzard and crop, the liver, heart, intestines, and oviduct. When I first cut through the abdominal wall, I look for yellow fluid from ascites, and large amounts of fat since I have dealt with that several times. Here are some links that might help:
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/sites/gateway/files/A visual guide to a chicken necropsy.pdf
http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-perform-necropsy-autopsy-on.html

I am by no means very good at necropsy. I usually try to carefully open the skin and start "peeling" away from there.

Did you happen to take some photos of the one you did?

Cornell has a series of videos (11 of them) the link to those is at the bottom of their article. Probably start at video Chapter 2 opening the bird, but I think the videos are more geared toward the pros, but it would give you some tips https://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/veterinarians/avian-necropsy-examination


This youtube video may also be helpful

These are all super helpful, thanks. Looks like lifting the keel is the way to go? Unfortunately, I only took pictures of the organs at the end (not inside the bird). I've attached a file if you'd like to see them. I think the whole thing was very sloppy because I did it the wrong way and it was my first time.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

These are all super helpful, thanks. Looks like lifting the keel is the way to go? Unfortunately, I only took pictures of the organs at the end (not inside the bird). I've attached a file if you'd like to see them. I think the whole thing was very sloppy because I did it the wrong way and it was my first time.
View attachment 2030034

It's o.k. mine are not very pretty either. I usually start at the abdomen since that's where I've had problems.
The videos can make it look easy, but the folks doing them are pros.

 

[Folly's place]

If you 'study up', and do it correctly, you will be able to see some obvious things, which might be enough. Many issues take tissue sample sent to the vet lab to make a diagnosis, and those must be in formalin usually. That's where having the necropsy done by an expert pays off!
Some state vet labs will do chickens very inexpensively, and some are more expensive. you can find out ahead of time exactly what the costs would be, and what's involved in submitting samples.
Mary

 

[Eggcessive]

I think it might be easier, the more you do it, and see other’s pictures of necropsies. But it looks better than my first one, and you can identify most of the organs. Here is a sampling of BYC necropsy pics that have been posted onto threads:
https://www.google.com/search?clien.........0....1.........35i39j33i299.ADjaFKPD3fY

 

[quackersandfern]

It might be a better idea to leave that to the professionals who know what to look for and what tests to order. Most state labs have deals where it's insanely cheap to do yourself. Here is an infographic on how to do it - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/how-to-submit-a-necropsy-backyard-fowl

 

[Eggcessive]

@quackersandfern are you a vet? You constantly are recommending that people should see a vet here, even when the person has already said they cannot afford one or one is not available. I live in an average size town, and there are not vets or avian vets who treat chickens. The ones who are lucky enough to see a vet talk about charging $300 to $3000 to treat a chicken. It is wonderful if someone can seek vet care, but it is not always affordable or available. Advice here should always be filtered and people should make up their own minds before following it.

 

[Folly's place]

So true, @Eggcessive , but you do tend to leave out the 'have a veterinarian do it' option often too. For necropsies, especially if a contagious disease might be involved, expert testing is best, and in some states is very affordable. Even where expensive, if it's about flock survival, it may be the less expensive alternative.
Mary