Sandhill Game Bird Services

Sandhill Game Bird Services Experienced Game bird and poultry vets based in Yorkshire. We focus on preventative medicine and flock based consultancy. R.T. Byas B.Vet.Med., M.R.C.V.S.

We offer a modern, specialised service across Northern England, the Midlands and Scotland. The practice was established in March 1997 by veterinary surgeon, Mr. With over fourty years of avian experience we have created facilities that are dedicated to avian work and are supported by our own laboratory. We are aware of the special problems associated with the rearing and management of game birds,

commercial poultry. We offer a comprehensive advisory service that includes site visits together with disease diagnosis and supply of medicines where appropriate.

The first GROUSE WORM COUNTS come rolling in with the start of the season. Happy to all of those lucky enough to be ou...
12/08/2025

The first GROUSE WORM COUNTS come rolling in with the start of the season. Happy to all of those lucky enough to be out and best of luck for the season ahead.
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Yorkshire Dales TICK and tick-borne disease control in SHEEP meeting later this month. Please get in touch if you would ...
06/08/2025

Yorkshire Dales TICK and tick-borne disease control in SHEEP meeting later this month.
Please get in touch if you would like to attend.





It was great to speak at online Grouse Seminar last night. With over 200 people joining us, it was a fantastic opportu...
06/08/2025

It was great to speak at online Grouse Seminar last night. With over 200 people joining us, it was a fantastic opportunity to discuss Grouse disease and our findings over the last 25 years of working with Grouse.



Join us speaking at grouse event Tuesday 5th August. Register with GWCT
04/08/2025

Join us speaking at grouse event Tuesday 5th August.
Register with GWCT

We have seen a large number of Rotavirus cases this year (confirmed by lab testing). Some of these cases have presented ...
10/07/2025

We have seen a large number of Rotavirus cases this year (confirmed by lab testing).
Some of these cases have presented in an unusual way with only moderate mortality but with little scour.
Although cases have generally been well controlled, the ongoing losses have been high due to gut damage, stunting and general poor health.
Currently many sites are struggling with recurrent enteritis issues off the back of this early damage.
The variable weather is also not helping.
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Vitacool A water supplement to help fight heat stress over the summer months - in stock now at Sandhill. Vitacool conta...
21/06/2025

Vitacool

A water supplement to help fight heat stress over the summer months - in stock now at Sandhill.

Vitacool contains electrolytes to keep birds hydrated together with high levels of Vitamin C which has been shown to alleviate problems brought on by heat stress such as poor feed intake, immunity and weight gain.

It is suitable for all types of poultry.

Please contact us for further information.
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13/06/2025

BASC has begun legal proceedings against Defra by issuing a Pre-Action Protocol letter regarding the decision not to reissue GL45 for 2025.

Despite things getting busier we are still out and about managing to fit Trusted Game audits in. 🖊️ The demand for TG ha...
12/06/2025

Despite things getting busier we are still out and about managing to fit Trusted Game audits in. 🖊️
The demand for TG has increased again this year, with many game farms and shoots now audited annually by vets.🌿
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Ticks and tick borne diseases are becoming more prevalent across the UK. The APHA have highlighted that tick borne disea...
03/06/2025

Ticks and tick borne diseases are becoming more prevalent across the UK. The APHA have highlighted that tick borne disease in ruminants is very high this spring.
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Ticks are being found in new areas previously thought to be tick free and at higher altitudes.
We are seeing evidence of increasing tick burdens in grouse, as seen here in this 2 week old chick.
This presents as a huge issue to animal and human health.
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03/06/2025

Have you booked your place on the NGO Golden Grouse clay pigeon competition taking place on 9 June at Thimbleby Shooting Ground?

This year, to speed up the registration process we highly recommend that you book your place in advance online by visiting the website below.

12 stands, 100 bird sporting layout with a chance to win some fabulous prizes including: Boots, jackets, dog food and cash.

Thank you to our amazing sponsors:
Dent Game Dealers, Marsdens Game Feeds, Sportsman Game Feeds, Sandhill Game Bird Services, ShuttleSocks, Gundog Gear, Treksta, 4 Elements Clothing and Game & Country.

Entry cost is just £55 and includes a pulled pork sandwich and a drink.

Registration opens on the day at 9.30am, last entry 1pm.

To secure your place go to: https://www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/events

Go to Login (top right) and enter your membership details.

NOTE: This is an NGO members-only event.

We are seeing a number of cases of poor laying and/or fertility issues in breeding pheasants currently. This is quite su...
22/05/2025

We are seeing a number of cases of poor laying and/or fertility issues in breeding pheasants currently.
This is quite surprising for many as it has been a kind and sunny spring, worm burdens are low and birds look very well.
The main common factor across all sites is the very dry climate with warm days and cold nights. Many birds are over fat and this is most likely the overriding issue. Fat birds have high fat content in their eggs which leads to reduced fertility.

Mortality is raised on many sites due to prolapses, mating damage and cannibalism - again relating to the dry weather and body condition.

Defra have confirmed that the Avian Influenza Housing Order across England will be lifted over a seven day period starti...
13/05/2025

Defra have confirmed that the Avian Influenza Housing Order across England will be lifted over a seven day period starting Thursday 15th May 🌿
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• Mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds will be lifted from Thursday 15th May and birds can be kept outside unless they are in a Protection Zone or Captive Bird Monitoring Zone.
•All bird keepers are urged to remain vigilant, report any suspicion of avian influenza to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and keep taking action to protect their birds as scrupulous biosecurity remains best practice for protecting the health and welfare of flocks.
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Address

Sandhill Veterinary Services LTD, Barker Business Park, Melmerby
Ripon
HG45NB

Telephone

+441845578710

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Our story

We work predominately in the North of England, but cover from the Midlands to the top of Scotland. Sandhill Veterinary Services provides specialist care for game birds (including grouse) and commercial poultry. The practice was established in March 1997 by veterinary surgeon, Mr. R.T. Byas B.Vet.Med., M.R.C.V.S. With over fourty years of avian experience we have created facilities that are dedicated to avian work and are supported by our own laboratory. The team has since grown with Laura Langstaff BVetMed MRCVS and Dan King BVMedSci BVM BVS MRCVS joining the practice. We are aware of the special problems associated with the rearing and management of game birds and commercial poultry. We offer a comprehensive advisory service that includes site visits together with disease diagnosis and supply of medicines where appropriate. Our focus is in flock health planning and disease prevention.