Mystery Infestation

[Eggcessive]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...autionary-tale-with-graphic-photo-progression
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...has-huge-hole-below-vent-fly-strike-confirmed

 

[iwiw60]

Thanks guys! I think that's it. I've picked off all the big maggots, but there are still little ones that are a lot harder to get off with tweezers. Will pouring diluted Betadine on them twice a day kill them off? Also, could there still be batches of un-hatched eggs on her?

More baths!!! You can give her a good 20-30 minute soak in very warm water with some Dawn in it. Do this 2-3 times a day.

 

[bobbie girl]

I've tried a bunch of stuff but the little maggots won't come off. I've read that salt dehydrates and kills them, but using that would probably be painful for her. But if the alternative is the maggots keep digging around, is it worth it?

 

[casportpony]

I've tried a bunch of stuff but the little maggots won't come off. I've read that salt dehydrates and kills them, but using that would probably be painful for her. But if the alternative is the maggots keep digging around, is it worth it?

A friend of mine used a horse product called SWAT, but I have no idea how appropriate that would be for your hen.

-Kathy

 

[bobbie girl]

Update: she has diarrhea. Not sure if this is connected to the maggots or maybe impacted/sour crop?

 

[Nambroth]

My birds will also have very loose, watery stools after getting soaked, bathed, or any cleaning around their vents. Not to be gross, but they tend to absorb water through the vent in these cases, and it comes back out the same way. This usually clears up within an hour or three, though. Did she have a bath today?

 

[bobbie girl]

Yes, that makes a lot of sense!

 

[bobbie girl]

What does it mean if her wound where the maggots were is black? Does that signal infection?

 

[casportpony]

Post a picture.

-Kathy

 

[iwiw60]

What does it mean if her wound where the maggots were is black? Does that signal infection?

Have re-read your posts on this thread, and when I saw this one (above) for some reason I immediately thought flystrike. Here's some information on it:
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WHAT IS FLYSTRIKE?
Flystrike is a sanitized nickname for maggots living in and feeding on the dead skin of a live animal, which results in an infection. Flystrike can affect chickens, humans and other animals. Flystrike is also known as myiasis, blowfly strike and fly-blown. Whatever you call it, it’s nasty and can be fatal if not recognized and treated promptly.​

WHAT CAUSES FLYSTRIKE?
Flies favor dark, moist locations for laying their eggs and while any area of the body can be affected, the vent area of a chicken is a fly favorite. Add stinky to the list of preferred fly aromas and a dirty chicken butt is a recipe for flystrike. After the fly eggs are laid on or in the skin, the larvae can hatch into maggots in less than 24 hours; the maggots then begin feeding on the skin, causing deep, painful sores that can become infected. The most common flies responsible for flystrike are botflies, blowflies and screwflies. Occurrences of flystrike are most common in warm weather.

FLYSTRIKE PREVENTION
Chickens do a great job of maintaining their personal hygiene by dust bathing, however, runny droppings or chronic diarrhea that builds up on vent feathers can make it impossible for a bird to keep clean. A droppings-soiled vent area can cause the skin to breakdown, which may as well be a “vacancy” sign hanging in front of Hotel Maggot.

Following some of these suggestions can help reduce the risk of flystrike in chickens:

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1. CONTROL FLY POPULATION
Keeping the fly population down can reduce the risk of flystrike.

2. MAINTAIN OVERALL HEALTH
The obvious recommendations are to keep chickens healthy by feeding them properly, keeping their coop and run clean and providing plenty of clean, fresh water. Probiotics can be added to the chickens’ water to maintain digestive health, a less effective water additive would be raw apple cider vinegar.

Pay close attention to any injured areas on a chicken as healing wounds regardless of size or location are particularly vulnerable to flystrike.

​

3. MAINTAIN DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Chicken droppings vary widely in texture, but consistently runny, watery, loose poop is an indicator of a problem. Diarrhea can signal a worm infestation, coccidiosis or a number of other illnesses. However, before rushing to treat chickens with anything, including purported “natural remedies,” the cause of the diarrhea must be identified. I recommend having a fecal float test performed when there are abnormal droppings. All veterinarians routinely perform these tests whether or not they treat chickens. Even if they don’t feel comfortable analyzing chickens’ samples, they can always send the sample out to a lab for you.

4) KEEP VENTS CLEAN AND DRY
Until any chronic droppings problem can be resolved, it is imperative to keep feathers underneath the vent clean to avoid flystrike. If droppings begin to accumulate beneath the vent, give the chicken a bath as described in this article. If feathers are impossible to clean thoroughly, carefully trim them off with scissors.

FLYSTRIKE TREATMENT​

1. Segregate the affected chicken from the flock to avoid the possibility of cannabilism. It should remain isolated in Chicken Hospital until the infection has healed fully.

2. Offer the chicken vitamins & electrolytes in the drinking water for a day or two and keep her hydrated.


3. Bathe the chicken, submerging the affected area in water, to assess the extent of the wound and drown as many maggots as possible.

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4. Physically remove visible maggots in, on and surrounding the wound. Yup. Good times.

5. Flush the wound with Betadine diluted in water or saline water. If the wound is very deep, use a syringe to squirt the Betadine solution into the cavity. Peroxide is an acceptable substitute for the first cleaning or two, but don't continue using it because peroxide can kill live tissue, preventing the area from healing properly.

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6. Dry the affected area. If any of the feathers are in the way or preventing complete drying of the area, simply cut them. to dry it thoroughly afterwards. A hair dryer set on low heat can make quick work of it. Most chickens enjoy the spa treatment.

7. Spray Vetericyn Wound & Infection treatment on the area affected by flystrike. This step may obviate the need for antibiotics in many cases of flystrike. Avoid ointments as maggots appreciate a moist, goopy, warm environment.

8. Repeat steps 3-7 two to three times per day until the maggots are gone and the wound is fully healed.

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