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Dr. Lucy Jenkins, DVM โœ“
Flockline Contributor Dr. Lucy Jenkins, DVM ยท Avian & Poultry Specialist

Dr. Lucy Jenkins, DVM

Dr. Lucy Jenkins, DVM, is a practicing avian veterinarian dedicated to evidence-based backyard poultry medicine, client education, and emergency stabilization protocols for small flocks. With over a decade of clinical experience treating companion poultry and waterfowl, Dr. Jenkins works directly with small flock keepers to decode subtle physical symptoms, manage parasite outbreaks, and prevent avoidable flock losses.

Specialties: Avian Pathology Symptom Triage Coccidiosis Respiratory Infections First Aid & Biosecurity

Guides & Articles by Dr. Lucy Jenkins, DVM (57)

Bumblefoot in Chickens: Soak, Salve, or Surgery?
health

Bumblefoot in Chickens: Soak, Salve, or Surgery?

Black scab on the foot pad? Grade the infection, try Epsom + ichthammol first, and know when the core needs removing.

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Egg Bound Chicken: Warm Bath & Calcium Steps
health

Egg Bound Chicken: Warm Bath & Calcium Steps

Penguin stance, straining, no egg? 100ยฐF Epsom soak, calcium support, isolation crate, and what never to do if she is egg bound.

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Frozen Chicken Water: 6 Sub-Zero Hacks to Keep Drinkers Flowing
Seasonal

Frozen Chicken Water: 6 Sub-Zero Hacks to Keep Drinkers Flowing

Keep chicken water from freezing in sub-zero winter: Learn heated horizontal nipples, ping pong ball hacks, black rubber pans, and electrical safety.

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Chicken Heat Stress: Symptoms, Cooling Steps & Electrolyte Care
Seasonal

Chicken Heat Stress: Symptoms, Cooling Steps & Electrolyte Care

Spot chicken heat stress early: Learn panting symptoms, cool water foot soaks, electrolyte recipes, and simple coop shade steps to protect laying hens.

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Safe Chicken Coop Heaters: Radiant Panels vs Heat Lamps
Seasonal

Safe Chicken Coop Heaters: Radiant Panels vs Heat Lamps

Are chicken coop heat lamps safe? Never use glass clamp lamps due to fire hazards. Compare radiant flat-panel heaters, brooder plates, and winter care tips.

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Vetericyn vs Blu-Kote for Chicken Wounds
health

Vetericyn vs Blu-Kote for Chicken Wounds

Clean with Vetericyn, hide red with Blu-Kote. When to use each, why Neosporin is a weak fit, and how to stop flock pecking.

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Rustic backyard chicken coop in winter with snow on roof showing ridge-vent ventilation and healthy heritage hens
Seasonal

Preventing Chicken Frostbite Without Heat: Coop Moisture and Ventilation Guide

Prevent chicken frostbite without dangerous heat lamps by eliminating coop humidity, managing high-ridge ventilation, and protecting combs down to sub-zero temps.

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A heritage hen standing in classic upright penguin posture with dropped abdomen and lowered tail feathers
Symptoms and urgent care

Chicken Walking Like a Penguin: Egg Bound vs Water Belly Triage Guide

Differentiate why your chicken is walking like a penguin with an upright stance, tail pumping, or swollen abdomen between egg binding, ascites, and peritonitis.

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Close-up clinical illustration of a hen with crop palpation anatomical diagram for impacted crop vs sour crop identification
Symptoms and urgent care

Sour Crop vs Impacted Crop: Morning Test

Squishy sour smell or hard golf-ball crop? Dawn palpation steps, safe triage, and why you should never flip a hen to drain it.

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Gapeworm in Backyard Chickens: Symptoms, Tracheal Swab Diagnosis, and Treatment Protocol
health

Gapeworm in Backyard Chickens: Symptoms, Tracheal Swab Diagnosis, and Treatment Protocol

Recognize gapeworm in chickens symptoms and treatment. Differentiate gaping from heat panting, perform a throat inspection, and learn safe recovery steps.

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Fipronil and Frontline on Backyard Chickens: FDA Egg Withdrawal Risks and Safe Alternatives
health

Fipronil and Frontline on Backyard Chickens: FDA Egg Withdrawal Risks and Safe Alternatives

Understand fipronil and frontline on chickens risks, FDA food animal prohibitions, egg withdrawal timelines, and EPA-approved permethrin alternatives.

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Egg Bound vs Calcium Tetany in Chickens: How to Spot the Difference and Immediate Triage
health

Egg Bound vs Calcium Tetany in Chickens: How to Spot the Difference and Immediate Triage

Spot calcium tetany vs egg bound chicken symptoms fast. Learn why warm Epsom salt soaks fail for tetany, and how to safely administer oral calcium.

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