Maggots!!!!

[Ifish]

Glad you caught it and were able to get the help you needed.....maggots will literally eat a chicken alive.

I have to disagree. I have never seen it, nor have I heard of such a thing. I do know that chickens will eat maggots alive, and it's good for them to.

Like others have stated, getting the coop in order and cleaning it out would be a good thing. In Jamaica you don't have to worry about cold, but a dry space for them to roost would be a good thing. Maggots are also a very nutritious meal for chickens. So lots of maggots could be a good thing, just not in the coop bedding imo.

 

[aart]

Quote: I've read numerous stories about 'fly strike' on all kinds of livestock, including chickens.
Flies lay eggs on poopy fur or feathers, larvae hatch and begin eating the living flesh of animal...can cause huge wounds, infections and even death if it's not caught in time, and it's not easy to treat either especially if they make into the abdominal cavity.

 

[Ifish]

I've read numerous stories about 'fly strike' on all kinds of livestock, including chickens.
Flies lay eggs on poopy fur or feathers, larvae hatch and begin eating the living flesh of animal...can cause huge wounds, infections and even death if it's not caught in time, and it's not easy to treat either especially if they make into the abdominal cavity.

While Fly Strike is real, I have only heard of it from internet sources, and that was in rabbits. In all my years of Cattle, horses, goats, chickens, dogs, cats, and other small furry animals, have I ever experienced it, or know anyone that has.

 

[Folly's place]

Just be really glad you've never seen or smelled it! Awful!!! Mary

 

[enola]

While Fly Strike is real, I have only heard of it from internet sources, and that was in rabbits.  In all my years of Cattle, horses, goats, chickens, dogs, cats, and other small furry animals, have I ever experienced it, or know anyone that has.

We are all very glad you have never personally seen fly strike, but I can assure you it a very real catastrophy. I have seen it in sheep, calves, kittens and deer. Like someone mentioned it is fairly easily treated UNLESS the maggots eat into the body cavity.

 

[Smyles]

This was Fly Strike for sure and it is not a pleasant thing to have the chicken suffers and it looks and smells awful.

When I first saw the maggots they were a welcomed treat for the hens but this one in particular always had a poopy butt so I think that contributed to it. The others are fine and enjoying the maggots which are not as much as before. I am still taking extreme precaustion for this not to happen again. By the way the maggots are not in the roosting area but instead where they feed. The hens are always spilling the water so thats another reason why the bedding gets damp. Additionally, this area in pourly dirt because I wanted them to be able to scratch as well but I have decided to get it completely covered. I am also getting nipples so that they can stop spilling the water.

The Vet gave me a triple action antibiotic wound powder for the hen which I need to apply twice per day and I have to monitor her closely. I have seperated her from the other hens. Hopefully all goes well.

 

[Briza]

I've never heard of fly larvae eating a healthy animal unless it's a parasitic fly species and then you've got a serious problem because they can also infect humans. If you've got a parasitic fly species around you need to eliminate it because they will lay their eggs directly on an animal or under the animal's skin(the latter is the one that can get humans). I'm not sure that the larvae in the feed are the same as the larvae that infested your chicken. I'm not one to condone insecticide use but in such a case, it's necessary. If you don't want to use insecticide, Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth works great on fly larvae and flies. My chicken's feed already comes with it included in the mix to prevent bugs from breeding in it. Usually, these kinds of flies are attracted to larger livestock so if you have any, check them too.

 

[eviemethugh]

I'm glad she is on the road to recovery! Out of curiosity so I can file this away in my brain...did the vet do anything like scrape maggots out or flush the vent? Curious minds must know in case we have a similar problem!

 

[enola]

We are discussing regular old house/barn type flies here. You may never have heard of maggots eating healthy flesh, but trust me, they will. If a fly can find a wound, or poopy butt, or in the case of sheep, poopy wool, they will lay eggs. When the larva hatch, they will clean up all the poop, or all of the necrotic flesh, then they will crawl deeper into the animal and keep right on eating.

Fly strike can quickly become the scene of a nightmare for an infected animal.

 

[Smyles]

@Briza I think I have to agree with Enola here as that what my experience has been. I don't think its parasitic. Plus fhe Vet examined the maggots to ensure it wasn't anything out of the norm.

@evienmethugh - the Vet removed all the feathers in the surrounding area as well as affected skin then removed the maggots one by one with a tweezer. He then cleaned it with saline solution and flushed the vex and applied the wound powder. Surprisingly the hen sat there quietly while all this was being done.