AAAACCCHHH!!! Worms or Maggots

[srfrgrl]

I just realized one of my chickens was smelling terribly awful then looked at her bum and it was all matted and gross. Then I looked closer and there was this yellow crusty stuff stuck to her bum. then I went to clean her off and found a chasm of worms/maggots inside her skin!!! It was the grossest thing I've ever seen! What is it???? Help! I am keeping her away from the other chickens for the moment but I really have no idea what to do. Any insight advice is desperately welcome.

 

[Ameraucanas]

They could be cecal worms.

About cecal worms-
http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/disparas.htm

Treatment-
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/234998/cecal-worms

 

[srfrgrl]

Okay, after my initial post I did some searching and the thing that makes the most sense is fly larvae (maggots). It has been so hot here and the flies have been relentless it can't be anything else. I have washed her several times but can't seem to get all the maggots off. Anybody know of anything that will kill them and won't harm the chicken?

 

[Folly's place]

This is an emergency! Dawn dish soap, Nolvasan, mild flea soap, and permethrin spray, and time spent picking them ALL off ASAP. She'll be dying in hours if you don't act right away. Then evaluate the wound, and apply Silvadene or an antibiotic ointment. Or cull her immediately. Or go to the veterinarian immediately. Mary

 

[srfrgrl]

Thanks Mary,
I did the Dawn dish soap. I think I got all the maggots off. I even dug into the cavity to get out all the maggots.

I have her in the house resting and drying but she will not eat or drink. I also did the topical antibiotic to the infected area. She is responsive but tired. I am hoping it is just from all the trauma of the 4 baths I had to give her to get all the maggots off. YUCK!!! I am 6 months pregnant and felt more nauseous from this experience than my entire first trimester. I am giving her water with a dropper...do you think that s okay? Any suggestions? Or just wait and pray that she makes it?

 

[pfields]

Bless your heart, sounds like you're doing all that you can to save your chicken.

 

[Folly's place]

How is she doing? Mary

 

[srfrgrl]

She doing ok in the morning but I found more maggots on her and in the process of trying to get them off she died. It was pretty horrible. Thank you for all your help and suggestions. Fingers crossed my other chickens stay maggot free.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry for your hen. Maggots are the nastiest! She had a problem, then got the fly strike, so you may have been fighting a loosing battle anyway. It's so sad, and hope you don't have to deal with it again. Mary