Sick/ Injured hen. Fly Strike?

[Hedwigsmom]

I have a 2 year old hen. Starting about a month ago she was acting different and was being picked on a lot so I thought it was just bullying the 2 weeks ago I went out to let them out into the yard and I noticed blood in 2 of the nests so I went to check all the girls and noticed Hedwig was dripping blood as she walked so I kept an eye on her while I googled stuff. I took a closer look at her bottom and there were maggots everywhere in different stages. I bathed her and cleaned out all the maggots and she had a big gaping wound under her vent. I quarantined her and have been soaking her in warm Epsom baths and keeping it washed and clean along with ointment and bandages. About a week ago I was cleaning her wound and all of this solid nasty stuff was coming out. There have been 3 days I've gotten a lot of stuff out of it and yesterday morning when I checked on her there was another ball of stuff. I'm hoping someone can tell me what it is and if it's a good or a bad sign for her. I have plenty of pictures that are very graphic. She has lost some weight she is a bit lighter than her sisters but she's started eating more and I no longer have to soak it in water for her to eat it. She is still in quarantine but still can interact with the others through the fencing. I have given get probiotics and some low dose aspirin(in the beginning) and she has wood shavings in the bottom of the pin but also has a roost. Wound is looking a lot better but I've kind of been flying by the seat of my pants on this. I would be grateful for any advice i can get. Photos will be posted momentarily.

 

[Hedwigsmom]

Graphic Photos

 

[Sally PB]

I was cleaning her wound and all of this solid nasty stuff was coming out. There have been 3 days I've gotten a lot of stuff out of it and yesterday morning when I checked on her there was another ball of stuff. I'm hoping someone can tell me what it is and if it's a good or a bad sign for her.

The nasty solid stuff looks like pus, which for chickens is solid, not liquid.

If it came out of her vent, it's called a lash egg. This is from salpingitis, inflammation of the reproductive tract.

It is a bad sign. She needs to be treated for infection.

 

[Hedwigsmom]

The nasty solid stuff looks like pus, which for chickens is solid, not liquid.

If it came out of her vent, it's called a lash egg. This is from salpingitis, inflammation of the reproductive tract.

It is a bad sign. She needs to be treated for infection.

It didn't come out of her vent they came out of her wound. She also has had some liquid stuff coming out of it that kind of reminds me of uncooked egg white or snot.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I was cleaning her wound and all of this solid nasty stuff was coming out. There have been 3 days I've gotten a lot of stuff out of it and yesterday morning when I checked on her there was another ball of stuff. I'm hoping someone can tell me what it is and if it's a good or a bad sign for her.

She also has had some liquid stuff coming out of it that kind of reminds me of uncooked egg white or snot.

The material that you are pulling out of the wound is Lash Material.

You can try treating with antibiotic like Baytril to see if that helps, but if she were mine, I'd put her down.
I know not a lot will agree, but that's what I'd do. This is why.

The photo with the "scab removed". That opening is the Coelomic Cavity (basically open right into the abdomen and organs). Pus is leaking out of the scab, this is infection. Your hen has Salpingitis. Yes, Lash Eggs can be "laid" by moving through the oviduct like a "normal egg", but the Lash material can also be deposited into the abdomen (Coelomic Cavity). This material and pus are what have accumulated and will very likely continue to accumulate even after she's been treated with an antibiotic.
For me, I'd put her down, but that is how I do things.

Possible. The scab may heal o.k., you may be able to get the infection and inflammation under control for a period of time and she can continue on with a normal life. I'm not sure for how long, but if you wish to try, then I'm here to help support you however I can.

I'll tag in @coach723 and @Eggcessive to see if they have any other thoughts/suggestions.

I'm very sorry about your hen. You have done a nice job on treating for the maggots and for caring for her. I'm just not sure of the survivability of this in the near future, especially due to the continual leakage.

 

[Sally PB]

but the Lash material can also be deposited into the abdomen

Thank you, I didn't know that.

 

[Eggcessive]

Wyorp Rock has given a lot of good information about salpingitis. When the abdomen becomes full and hard with salpingitis and lash egg material deposits inside the abdomen, it can form a hernia or bulge in the lower abdomen that can break open, or be pecked open. The flies are opportunistic and lay eggs in the wound or on any droppings near the vent or belly. You have done a great job dealing with this. I hope that she survives, but she has a fatal condition that will kill her eventually. Antibiotics might extend her life. But if she stops eating and seems to be suffering, I would put her out of her misery. Many people do home necropsies to look at the abdominal contents after losing a hen. A lot say they wished they knew what was going on inside, and wished they had prevented some of the suffering earlier. If a hen seems hungry and enjoys being around her flock, I usually try to keep them comfortable until they need my help. Let us know how she does.

 

[coach723]

Sadly, I agree with @Wyorp Rock and @Eggcessive. You may be able to buy her some time, that is up to you, but she will succumb to this at some point. Salpingitis is very resistant to treatment, I've tried just about every antibiotic and combination over the years and have had no long term success (doesn't mean you can't try if that is what you want to do). Sometimes maybe it buys them some time, but I've not had one recover or be cured. The more advanced the condition is, the less likely treatment is to work. And usually it's advanced by the time it's known, they hide the symptoms so well. Some birds never expel any of that and it's not known to be the issue until necropsy. Some birds are just FULL of it when they die. Some birds do expel some and it lets you know the problem before that. I'm so sorry, I know none of what any of us has said is what you wanted to hear. I don't let mine suffer any longer. When they go off food and water, isolate themselves, are attacked by flock mates, or are obviously unwell, I euthanize.

 

[Hedwigsmom]

I have a 2 year old hen. Starting about a month ago she was acting different and was being picked on a lot so I thought it was just bullying the 2 weeks ago I went out to let them out into the yard and I noticed blood in 2 of the nests so I went to check all the girls and noticed Hedwig was dripping blood as she walked so I kept an eye on her while I googled stuff. I took a closer look at her bottom and there were maggots everywhere in different stages. I bathed her and cleaned out all the maggots and she had a big gaping wound under her vent. I quarantined her and have been soaking her in warm Epsom baths and keeping it washed and clean along with ointment and bandages. About a week ago I was cleaning her wound and all of this solid nasty stuff was coming out. There have been 3 days I've gotten a lot of stuff out of it and yesterday morning when I checked on her there was another ball of stuff. I'm hoping someone can tell me what it is and if it's a good or a bad sign for her. I have plenty of pictures that are very graphic. She has lost some weight she is a bit lighter than her sisters but she's started eating more and I no longer have to soak it in water for her to eat it. She is still in quarantine but still can interact with the others through the fencing. I have given get probiotics and some low dose aspirin(in the beginning) and she has wood shavings in the bottom of the pin but also has a roost. Wound is looking a lot better but I've kind of been flying by the seat of my pants on this. I would be grateful for any advice i can get. Photos will be posted momentarily.

I greatly appreciate everyones help. This is my first sick and injured chicken. I know it's not good news but it's what I wanted to hear either way good or bad. For now she seems to be doing alright and not in pain. She's eating and drinking and enjoying her time with her flock and best buddies. As long as she's not in pain I'm going to let her enjoy her days and care for her. But when that starts to change i will euthanize her so she's not in pain and suffering. She is my sweetest girl.