Flystrike

[Greyfeathers]

I am just sick over this. Normally I have plenty of time dedicated to my two pet hens and two ducks but am caring for my invalid neighbor who's terminally ill plus cutting their horse pastured.
I noted one of my girls was lethargic and every time I was home she closely followed me. Last night when I got back saw that her invite vent and rump ares fully engaged with maggots and encrusted. I spent a couple hours with showering and cleaning her rump and stomach, clipped the feathers and now see many raw areas and the maggots just keep coming. I'm applying diatomaceous red earth after each shower and spraying with an antiseptic. Giving her Gatorade until I can get to town. She's fighting shock but is very lethargic. The smell emanating from her indicates just how bad this is. She is a pet..very loving and much loved. With the heat and constant wetness from the odd weather and tropical storms..l'm not letting either girls out. I hope no one experiences this..it us a horrible thing for a pet or animal to go thru. I don't know how far these larvae have worked their way inside but I'll keep working to remove them.

 

[Eggcessive]

Flystrike can be deadly and sorry that your hen is suffering with it. Can you get SWAT gel or ointment, or permethrin spray from your feed store which can kill the maggot larvae on contact. I would soak your hen in warm Epsom salts or soapy water a couple of times a day untill all maggots are gone. Then apply the permethrin or SWAT. If the maggots are inside she might die. Try to get her eating and drinking some scrambled egg, tuna, or canned cat food, and her usual feed made wet with water. Pictures are always welcome. I hope that your hen lives. Here is a helpful article:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/...qU8ZCSFS0N-ga2zTrDSaNEFU7euO05RBbyjaYskD0QAJc

 

[Greyfeathers]

Thanks, I did everything and held her thru the night but she died the next morning. I could smell the necrotic tissue so I knew it was too late. Now I check the remaining hen constantly and trim droppings from her rear. I just took in four week old chick's and 3 black guineas. Not letting them outside yet and clean their bottoms if necessary.

 

[Eggcessive]

Very sorry for your loss. Hopefully, the others will all stay healthy. Controlling flies in and around the coop may be helpful. Permethrin is pretty safe for coops and chickens unless you raise bees on your property.

 

[stuka123]

I am so sorry. My heart is breaking and I can’t stop my tears. I just experienced this with my girl Fredrika. I had the Vet put her down yesterday. I have no words for what I saw and how quickly it happened. I can’t get it out of my mind. I honestly think I’m in shock. I have never seen anything so horrible in my life. My husband won’t let me talk to him about it. He didn’t want to acknowledge it. So I had to deal with the entire thing on my own. No one can actually comprehend his horrible this is unless they have had to deal with it. I’m so sorry

 

[Greyfeathers]

Very sorry for your loss. Hopefully, the others will all stay healthy. Controlling flies in and around the coop may be helpful. Permethrin is pretty safe for coops and chickens unless you raise bees on your property.

Yes, ty..everyone else us fine. Now I do twice a day butt checks..hurts to lose a loved one over neglect.

 

[Greyfeathers]

I've never had an issue before but this year is unusually wet and the girls have been laying more eggs than usual. This hen has always been a challenge to keep clean but think with me being sidetracked caring for a terminally ill neighbor plus taking on mowing pastures..spread myself too thin. Had to pull back and regroup after both hen and neighbor died on same morning Then when a woman volunteered to mow around an area but chose to go where she wanted instead of directed...caused the death of my two pet ducks. Knowing full well they were there then flagrantly disregarding my pleas to stop...chose to keep going. Needless to say..said woman was told to pack her shet and never come back. Now have six chicklets..3 mixed hens and 3 black guineas..one of which appears to be a male.

 

[Greyfeathers]

I've built a pen on my covered back deck that has entry into an addition built on...to keep them safe and comfy in winter. Of course they'll have the run of the place while I'm outside..but never again will trust that people care for tir feathered kids as I do.