What are the regulations and pitfalls for treating backyard chickens?

Abstract

The rise in keeping chickens as ‘pets’ has become exponential, with an estimated 600 000 households taking part. Families expect their chickens to be treated by veterinary surgeons as competently as their other companion animals, but food-producing species have restrictions on medications and are subject to certain regulations, knowledge of which is generally sparse in companion animal veterinary surgeons. Relevant regulations are annotated and licensed medications listed.