Help! WHAT is this?? Graphic photo!

[kvmommy]

I don't know a lot about chickens, but I wouldn't worry so much about the maggots. Maggots ONLY eat dead and rotting flesh and are used in extreme cases to treat humans with wounds that won't close. Of course those are sterilized but the maggots were honestly probably keeping the infection from spreading. Since the wound is old enough that there are maggots I'd be worried about putting too much peroxide or betadine on it, and would clean the area once with that and then only use an antibiotic ointment and keep it clean and dry. Thats from my non chicken related experiences but I think it applies to chickens too. Oh and of course liquid antibiotics are great, just don't kill the chicken while injecting it like I just did.

 

[animallover505]

how did you kill your chicken while injecting antibiotics?

 

[ejctm]

Does it smell or taste like cheese??

JK, JK!! I had to do it!

lolz.

If internal laying, the "cheese" could also be a mixture of pus and cooked retained eggs.

 

[Sylvestor12]

When a hen gets a hole like that or a stressful eound the hen probably won't lay until she is 100% better.

 

[nakstk]

Just wondering how your hen is doing?

 

[kvmommy]

how did you kill your chicken while injecting antibiotics?

I don't know exactly. I barely inserted the needle and hit something hard...bone I think. But I didn't pull the plunger back, to see if I hit an artery or heart, didn't know til after the fact. As soon as I injected she went limp...it was immediate. And awful.

 

[animallover505]

I don't know exactly. I barely inserted the needle and hit something hard...bone I think. But I didn't pull the plunger back, to see if I hit an artery or heart, didn't know til after the fact. As soon as I injected she went limp...it was immediate. And awful.

oh, I'm sorry.

 

[fptwist]

I would recommend "Super H" powder on the wound. It is available in most feed and grain stores, it's inexpensive and with a barn fulI of animals I am never without it. It is an antiseptic powder designed to treat wounds. It dusts on without you ever having to touch the wound, it clings well and will last for 24hrs. It aides in fast healing and keeps the wound dry. What caused the sore may not be important at this time, it could have been something simple that festered due to the location of the sore on the bird and the fly season we are in. It doesn't take long for stuff to happen. I have found chickens to be very hardy and with a little tlc she should be fine. Good Luck!.

 

[fptwist]

I'm an idiot, I didn't look further down the post. Sorry your chicken didn't make it.

 

[llandry]

I don't know a lot about chickens, but I wouldn't worry so much about the maggots. Maggots ONLY eat dead and rotting flesh and are used in extreme cases to treat humans with wounds that won't close. Of course those are sterilized but the maggots were honestly probably keeping the infection from spreading. Since the wound is old enough that there are maggots I'd be worried about putting too much peroxide or betadine on it, and would clean the area once with that and then only use an antibiotic ointment and keep it clean and dry. Thats from my non chicken related experiences but I think it applies to chickens too. Oh and of course liquid antibiotics are great, just don't kill the chicken while injecting it like I just did.

I am new to the world of chickens and my area of expertise is with dogs and cats but I'm sure some things cross over. I'm veterinary anesthesia specialist. Becareful when cleaning open wounds with peroxide because it can cause tissue to necrose. Always rinse well with clean water. Chlorhexidine or dilute betadine are a much safer option. Also maggots are actually life threatening to pets. It's true that they only eat dead tissue. Their waste however is toxic and kills the tissue it touches giving them more to eat.