Anyone else dealing with fly strike this summer?

[Mutt Farm]

can you get it at tractor supply or a place like that?
I will look into that.

I got mine from a local feed store here, but you may need to order it. Everybody carries it.

 

[GitaBooks]

My hen that I was isolating for recovery from fly strike is now wheezing. Does anyone know why this would happen? She was doing better yesterday after I cleaned the
maggots out of her and treated the wound. They wound looks much better today, she is eating and drinking just wheezing. I have never heard this before.
Any thoughts.

Thanks

Fly strike leaves a chicken upon to other kinds of infections, as they are weakened and have open wounds. Make sure she is warm and getting plenty of vitamins. If it seems to get worse, get her on antibiotics.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Fly strike leaves a chicken upon to other kinds of infections, as they are weakened and have open wounds. Make sure she is warm and getting plenty of vitamins. If it seems to get worse, get her on antibiotics.

I gave her some antibiotics last night, she seems to be doing much better this morning, no wheezing. She is eating and drinking.
The wound is looking better, scabbing over nicely. I hope to let her out again with her flock soon, she is the alpha hen so I hope
that she is able to maintain her order in the flock.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Does anyone know if you can use Permethrin-10 directly on chickens?

I have some here that I spray the coop and pen with. I can put it in a spray bottle and spray
it on the chickens to aid in our fly problem this year. Does anyone know if that is safe or
has done that?

Thanks

 

[MasonJarJuls]

I live in Apple Valley, CA and it is typically dry, but due to the monsoons we have had it has been much more humid and flies have been a HUGE issue. I have been keeping my coop clean for my 2 girls, but one had a dirty bum and got fly strike. Unfortunately we were out of town last week and I noticed one of my girls was pretty lethargic on our return Saturday. I gave her a bath yesterday and noticed not only was she very thin, but that she had a bunch of tiny maggots just to the side of her vent, so we gave her several Epsom salt baths and thought we got them all out. She was drinking water and ate a tiny bit of Greek yogurt last night. This morning I gave her another bath, but she was still so lethargic and not able to stand on her own very well. Luckily my husband was still home and we decided to cull her because I didn't want her to suffer anymore. I am such a baby when it comes to these things because my animals are family. Now I am really worried that my other girl is going to be lonely. Does anyone know if I should get a few pullets to add to the flock (currently consisting of 1) so she doesn't get depressed?

 

[Mutt Farm]

I live in Apple Valley, CA and it is typically dry, but due to the monsoons we have had it has been much more humid and flies have been a HUGE issue. I have been keeping my coop clean for my 2 girls, but one had a dirty bum and got fly strike. Unfortunately we were out of town last week and I noticed one of my girls was pretty lethargic on our return Saturday. I gave her a bath yesterday and noticed not only was she very thin, but that she had a bunch of tiny maggots just to the side of her vent, so we gave her several Epsom salt baths and thought we got them all out. She was drinking water and ate a tiny bit of Greek yogurt last night. This morning I gave her another bath, but she was still so lethargic and not able to stand on her own very well. Luckily my husband was still home and we decided to cull her because I didn't want her to suffer anymore. I am such a baby when it comes to these things because my animals are family. Now I am really worried that my other girl is going to be lonely. Does anyone know if I should get a few pullets to add to the flock (currently consisting of 1) so she doesn't get depressed?

I think I would get a couple more, maybe a few so your girl won't pick on them. I'm down here in Riverside. Flies have been horrible with the humidity. My neighbor has pigs and goats and chickens and never cleans, so I'm fighting his filth.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

I live in Apple Valley, CA and it is typically dry, but due to the monsoons we have had it has been much more humid and flies have been a HUGE issue. I have been keeping my coop clean for my 2 girls, but one had a dirty bum and got fly strike. Unfortunately we were out of town last week and I noticed one of my girls was pretty lethargic on our return Saturday. I gave her a bath yesterday and noticed not only was she very thin, but that she had a bunch of tiny maggots just to the side of her vent, so we gave her several Epsom salt baths and thought we got them all out. She was drinking water and ate a tiny bit of Greek yogurt last night. This morning I gave her another bath, but she was still so lethargic and not able to stand on her own very well. Luckily my husband was still home and we decided to cull her because I didn't want her to suffer anymore. I am such a baby when it comes to these things because my animals are family. Now I am really worried that my other girl is going to be lonely. Does anyone know if I should get a few pullets to add to the flock (currently consisting of 1) so she doesn't get depressed?

I am so sorry that you lost your girl. that is hard and fly strike is horrid, the worst stuff I have ever seen. I have so much more respect for veternarians I am sure they see
this stuff more than the want.

I would get a few more ladies for your only girl. Chickens are social animals and need others to be around. I would not get a roo because she would be way
over mates which can lead to injury.

 

[MasonJarJuls]

Thanks for the advice. It is definitely nasty stuff and I see a lot of nasty stuff because I work in an ER. I was thinking about getting 2 more, maybe 3, but definitely no roo.

 

[texsuze]

Amazingly, I've had few flies this summer, despite rain the entire month of May. We are hot and dry for the moment. Go figure.

I stopped buying fly predators because, like other folks, I couldn't justify spending $18+/month on them when all the properties surrounding ours are overstocked with cattle, sheep, goats, mini donks. Not to mention the native and exotic wildlife populations. A losing battle with the predators, in my situation.

What has helped so far are the disposable hanging fly traps that come with attractant. You add water and hang them in specific locations. The location is important since you do NOT want to hang them in or near your barn, chicken coop, etc. Wind direction, location, height for hanging the fly traps are all important, lest you end up attracting flies from elsewhere. Might not work in small, backyard situations, but I put them in strategic locations in the spring at the first sign of flies and they tend to knock out a large portion of the adult flies. They do smell horribly when filling with flies.

I've found the disposable traps at "Wally World" (garden dept) for way less expensive than at feed stores or TSC. Again, your mileage may vary...

 

[Mutt Farm]

Thanks for the advice. It is definitely nasty stuff and I see a lot of nasty stuff because I work in an ER. I was thinking about getting 2 more, maybe 3, but definitely no roo.

I feel so bad for you. Apple Valley Feed on Bear Valley rd near the High School usually has older pullets or hens or would know folks that have some. They are so nice there. My Pops knows their mom. He lived in Lucerne and raised birds for many years. Also try the ones in Lucerne Valley. They usually have some older hens. You could also check with them about stuff for fly strike. We'll wait for pictures of the new girls!