How Losing Our First Chickens Inspired Us to Create CluckDoc

Tom Mante
Nov 11, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Feb 4

Turning Heartbreak Into Help for Other Chicken Owners

When we first got our little ones, we were so excited — watching them grow, learn, and explore was one of the best parts of having chickens. But when we lost two of them in the first three weeks, it really hurt. We did everything we thought we were supposed to do, but still ended up losing them. It made us feel like we’d somehow let them down.

The Moment That Changed Everything

A few weeks later, we lost another one. That one hit even harder because we realized the signs were there — we just didn’t recognize them soon enough. That feeling of not knowing what was wrong, or how to fix it fast, is what led us to an idea that would eventually become CluckDoc. This was the beginning of why we created CluckDoc — to make sure no chicken owner would ever have to feel that same helplessness again.

Why We Created CluckDoc

We wanted a way to understand right away what was happening to our chickens and what we could do about it. We didn’t want other people to go through that same helpless feeling we had. My wife and I care deeply about keeping our flock safe and healthy, and we knew other chicken owners felt the same way. That’s exactly why we created CluckDoc — to help backyard keepers take better care of their chickens with confidence and clarity.

Built From Real Experiences in Our Own Coop

Every feature inside CluckDoc came from something we lived through in our own coop — the real signs, symptoms, and lessons that helped us learn how to prevent future loss. Over time, those experiences shaped a simple goal: make chicken care easier and help owners catch problems early. That mission continues to define why we created CluckDoc and how we keep improving it with every update.

Helping You Care for the Ones That Depend on You

If our story helps even one person save a chicken, it’s worth it. That’s what CluckDoc is all about — helping you take care of the little ones that depend on you, just like ours did. ❤️

Writer: Tom Mante — backyard chicken keeper & co-founder of CluckDoc