Mystery in the Coop

[Dixiechick2083]

I've had chickens for about 4 years now. Of course all my hens want to lay in the same nest. A few days ago, I noticed a foul odor when I opened the nest box. It smelled like death. When I removed the eggs there were maggots (nasty) under the bedding and it was moist. Maggot are disgusting, but I was a crime scene investigator for seven years, so it takes a lot to gross me out! I cleaned it out and threw all of the eggs away due to the smell. I assumed that one of the heavy footed girls had cracked an egg. I didn't see a shell, but sometimes they will eat it. It was very hot out, so I figured the broken egg when bad. This morning I went to get the eggs and a few of them looked like they had a dried fluid in the exterior and there was a smell, but not as bad as before (no maggots this time). None of my hens are acting funny. They all seem healthy and happy. Most of the girls are 4 years old. I was wandering if one had some sort of discharge or was laying shell less or soft shelled egg. Anybody have any ideas??

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Dixiechick2083 Welcome To BYC

You may want to go out and physically inspect each hen carefully - look around and under the vent, take a whiff of them too - see if any of the hens smell rotten.
While the maggots could have come from broken egg - if you are finding them again and you suspect one of your girls may have a discharge - I would be looking for maggot activity (FlyStrike) on one of the hens.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/07/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes.html

 

[Dixiechick2083]

I will take a look this again this afternoon. I didn't see anything when I checked a few days ago. I'm in South Carolina, so it's hot here right now and the flies are bad. I did put out some diatomaceous earth to quell the fly problem. Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I hope all goes well. Let us know if you find anything.