Bird has a black bottom and protrusion below the vent. I can’t tell if it a scab or dried poop. Can anyone advise?

[Mumgold]

The bird is about 4 years old.
She is acting sick. I found her on the ground of the coop by the entry.
I at first thought maybe she is having a prolapse out the vent but then I found the vent higher up. I had never picked up a chicken before today.
She is nibbling on food.
I am not the chicken’s owner. I went to my friend’s house while he is out of town and found the bird acting weird. I tried bathing her but I was scared to pull off the black stuff in case it is a scab. I am attaching a photo which is sort of like an other post someone put up but without the black ring. She is a Buff Orphington, I think, she is big and gold. Any advice or similar experiences? Vets are closed. I accidentally posted something similar in the wrong category because I have a tiny SE and can’t see so well on this phone. I have her isolated from the pullets in a room in the house. I hope there are no mites or such things I keep reading about. I can’t find the right link to click on or bird book to read with advice on the Internet. So I am here. I joined on behalf of my backyard chicken friend.

thanks in advance.

 

[Eggcessive]

That looks like the skin is eaten through to the fat lining of the abdominal wall, either from pecking or an injury. Maybe a predator got to her? Does the wound go through the abdominal wall? I would soak her in warm Epsom salts, mild soap or a disinfectant. Chlorhexidene or Betadine are good ones. Look for any maggots (small worm-like things) which can cause flystrike. Then apply a coating of plain antibiotic ointment twice a day. If any maggots are visible and moving, they must be removed. Keep her separated in a dog crate with food and water and away from flies. It would be good for her to see her flock or another chicken if possible. It may take a long time for her skin to cover this wound.

 

[Mumgold]

That looks like the skin is eaten through to the fat lining of the abdominal wall, either from pecking or an injury. Maybe a predator got to her? Does the wound go through the abdominal wall? I would soak her in warm Epsom salts, mild soap or a disinfectant. Chlorhexidene or Betadine are good ones. Look for any maggots (small worm-like things) which can cause flystrike. Then apply a coating of plain antibiotic ointment twice a day. If any maggots are visible and moving, they must be removed. Keep her separated in a dog crate with food and water and away from flies. It would be good for her to see her flock or another chicken if possible. It may take a long time for her skin to cover this wound.

I soaked her today for 20 min in epsom salt. I spoke to her owner who gave her a bath last week. He mentioned he saw worms in the bath back then. He added that he added a dewormer, type unspecified, to the chicken feed. I did not see any worms. I asked if he saw this black swelling in her during that bath and he said he didn’t know… I didn’t apply any ointment, just a q-tip of iodine. I will go buy some. I currently have her isolated in the mud room of the house to see if she poops, drinks, and eats. I read somewhere that the others may peck her and injure her further. She is now the oldest. The other chickens are maybe 8 to 10 months old and she usually avoids them. When I picked her up out of the coop this afternoon she was sitting in a damp spot from the rain. (The picture of her sitting outside is from yesterday. That is when I started to worry about her and began googling sick chickens).

 

[Eggcessive]

She is lucky if she had flystrike and maggots. They look shiny and move quickly on the wound. A wormer will not take care of flystrike, but the soaking will kill them. It usually takes multiple soaks, since they will hatch out over 24 hours or so. So I would continue the soaks, making sure the maggots are all gone, and apply the plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment twice a day. I would let her see the others every day in a wire dog crate. That way, she will stay part of their flock, since she may be separated for a long time. If she gets injured or pecked, it could pierce the abdominal wall and cause her intestines and organs to come outside. Here is a good link to read about flystrike in chickens:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a video in post 1 of the thread below showing maggots from fly larvae infesting a wound:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/is-this-flystrike-if-so-how-can-i-treat.1252309/

 

[Mumgold]

She is lucky if she had flystrike and maggots. They look shiny and move quickly on the wound. A wormer will not take care of flystrike, but the soaking will kill them. It usually takes multiple soaks, since they will hatch out over 24 hours or so. So I would continue the soaks, making sure the maggots are all gone, and apply the plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment twice a day. I would let her see the others every day in a wire dog crate. That way, she will stay part of their flock, since she may be separated for a long time. If she gets injured or pecked, it could pierce the abdominal wall and cause her intestines and organs to come outside. Here is a good link to read about flystrike in chickens:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

Wow! Thank you, that is pretty informative. I haven’t seen anything moving around. The black stuff is crusted to her rear. Can I pick the black stuff off? I am adding another photo because I am not sure the other photos represent what I am trying to explain, but your eye may be more experienced, but I don’t see maggots. I have vivid memories of those squirming around in a dead mouse under my desk at my old job. I don’t have a crate since I am locked out of the shed and garage. I am afraid to put her back in the coop but maybe that is best for the evening. It is 9p here. Thanks so much for you reply and the link. I appreciate it very much. Maggots would make sense since I thought the skin opening was the vent for a good hour or more.

 

[Chicalina]

you've had great advice here. I would also add that it is useful to trim the feathers around the wound so they don't get stuck to it and you can bathe and cream her more easily.

 

[Eggcessive]

After soaking and softening it for 10-15 minutes, you can gently wash the black material with a cloth, and that will debride the skin a bit. Don’t be too aggressive, but just do that a little each day. Each day get more, and the skin should be regenerating cells. Apply plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment after each treatment, and a second time each day to keep it soft. A bathtub or shower can work as an isolation area. A neighbor may have a crate to borrow.

 

[Mumgold]

Update. Goldie is standing in one spot looking around. She is pooping a little more solids today though there is a mucus on top of the brown but. She isn’t really eating or drinking. I tried placing a dropper of water by her beak but she kept turning her head away. She is pecking the deck right now. I put her outside in prep for the bath. I offered a blueberry or two but that didn’t tempt her.

I am going to give her another epsom salt soak in a minute. My friend said I am not making the bath water hot enough because I only added a little of the hot boiled kettle water. I am guessing the temp should be hot but NOT as hot as when I shower. I do the hot water wrist test I do for babies. Anyway, than you again for the replies. I appreciate everyone’s advice so much.

One more thing, her left foot is cockeyed, unsteady, and wobbly. Should I put it in a splint?

I have so much to learn.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would not splint the foot yet. Just watch her. Is there any sign of an injury, such as green bruising, redness, or swelling of the leg or foot? Any scabs on the foot pad?