Can't identify these worms...PLEASE HELP!

[Rochellerichter]

Hi everyone, my name is Rochelle and I'm in middle Georgia. I'm new here and consider myself still a beginner chicken owner. We got out first flock 3 years ago and they have dwindled down to 2. Easter eggers. They have stopped laying for a couple weeks now (earlier than usual to slow down production but they have stopped altogether), barely eating/drinking, seem lethargic, etc. I checked their droppings tray yesterday and found these tiny worms in there feces (and the feces is also a different texture...looks like crumbled dirt/soil). They are not white like typical maggots but kind of look like them, but again can't tell. When I moved the feces around, they bury down quick. They are not long worms. Can they have a maggot infestation internally or is that just an external thing? No sign of flystrike. Attached are two pics I got with red circles identifying the worm (several of them in the droppings though), and a video. If someone can help me identify, so I can get them on the right dewormer, I would greatly appreciate it!! Or, should I just put them on something like ivermectin that is supposed to kill 99% of avian parasites? Thanks so much in advance for your help!

 

[sourland]

I think they are maggots. @dawg53 what do you think?

 

[Ridgerunner]

They are not tapeworms or roundworms, so not from inside the chickens.

 

[GlicksChicks]

Those are maggots, not from your chickens. There to feast on stinky chicken poop.

Do your birds free range? How often do you clesn your coop? Does it get very dirty? Does it smell bad?

 

[dawg53]

Poultry worms cannot survive outside their host. They are maggots.

 

[Rochellerichter]

Those are maggots, not from your chickens. There to feast on stinky chicken poop.

Do your birds free range? How often do you clesn your coop? Does it get very dirty? Does it smell bad?

Yes, they free range and forage every other day. Often. No, it does not. No, it does not. Still doesn't make sense since they are not eating/drinking or laying.

 

[GlicksChicks]

Yes, they free range and forage every other day. Often. No, it does not. No, it does not. Still doesn't make sense since they are not eating/drinking or laying.

Have temperatures dropped suddenly? Have there been any cold winds or cold rainstorms?

 

[Rochellerichter]

Poultry worms cannot survive outside their host. They are maggots.

Thank you @dawg53 - looks like we may another issue on our hands and I'm glad you and everyone else here responded and figured out the culprit. I was under the impression that during an active infestation, parasites/worms can still move in feces, so I thought this may be it. I thought maybe they were maggots. Thanks again!

 

[Rochellerichter]

Have temperatures dropped suddenly? Have there been any cold winds or cold rainstorms?

@GlicksChicks yes to both! I think it may be a maggot issue. I'm ordering some basic supplies to have on hand and checking tomorrow closely for flystrike. Not looking forward to it but got to take care of these girls!

 

[Rochellerichter]

I think they are maggots. @dawg53 what do you think?

Thank you for your response @sourland - going to try and take care of the issue! I'll be back to update. You all have been helpful.