MVB MRCVS
Tel: +44(0)2887 722225
Aonghus is regional lead vet for our Northern Ireland team.
Aonghus says
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a poultry vet. At a young age I bred and exhibited purebred poultry, hatching anything up to 600 chicks a year with my own incubators, so you could say that what I do now, is really an extension of a past hobby.
My interest in the commercial poultry sector was compounded when Margaret Hardy from the St David’s team, delivered our poultry lectures at university. After several years working in farm animal practice, I undertook a Postgraduate Certificate in Poultry Science with SRUC, to further develop my knowledge and to demonstrate that I was committed to a long-term career within the industry. And I haven’t looked back.
I work primarily with broilers, so I’m particularly interested in performance and the effects of disease, their management and bird welfare. I’m fortunate enough to work with many forward-thinking clients who embrace the science behind this, that results in meaningful discussions about our aims, and together we can agree a clear plan that focuses on proactive rather than reactive care.
As well as bird welfare, I believe other areas that are critical to the industry, include biosecurity and water quality. While these are very much linked, with the frequent outbreaks of Avian Influenza and Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT), it’s now more important than ever to support clients to develop and implement programmes that minimise risks.
I’m also particularly interested in broiler lameness and am looking forward to doing more work in the areas of cellulitis aetiology and preventative strategies.”
Aonghus is currently a Resident Student of the European College of Poultry Veterinary Science (ECPVS) and is due to sit his final exams in 2025.