What in the worm world? (GROSS)

[ToBeInTheShade]

Looks like a maggot infestation or fly strike. What does the vent look like? How is she acting? Can you get her inside and soak her bottom in a tub of warm Epsom salts?

Yes, I will do that now, but I have been cleaning her up till now and hadn't seen any reason for maggots. I was, however, trying to maintain her dignity and not be TOO invasive, but that's all over now, lol.

 

[dawg53]

Check for fly strike like Eggcessive mentioned. When worms are excreted, they are either dead or dying. They cannot survive outside their host.

 

[Eggcessive]

The second video in this links shows maggots on a rooster’s vent:
https://renaissancefarmstead.com/2017/07/18/fly-strike/

 

[Eggcessive]

If it is flystrike, maggots may continue to hatch out for the next day, requiring several baths. I really hope that amybe the flies just laid eggs on the poop, and it didn’t come from your hen. But if it is in the chicken she would be very ill.

If it is not flystrike, please give her symptoms so that we can figure out what is making her ill. That would include her age, what her crop feels like, if her lower belly is swollen, if she has been laying eggs, and anything else you can think of.

 

[dawg53]

The second video in this links shows maggots on a rooster’s vent:
https://renaissancefarmstead.com/2017/07/18/fly-strike/

Excellent videos: Bookmarked.

 

[staceyj]

Yes, I will do that now, but I have been cleaning her up till now and hadn't seen any reason for maggots. I was, however, trying to maintain her dignity and not be TOO invasive, but that's all over now, lol.

There is no dignity in chicken butts!
Better to accept that reality now.

 

[ToBeInTheShade]

Okay, lessee.

Barred rock ; don't know her age for sure, but older than 5 years. She was head hen in a roosterless flock and I inherited the whole flock. She has lots of "roosterly" characteristics and is the strong silent type. Lays very sporadically. She has lost considerable weight, and the other main symptom is listlessness.

I know cecal worms are a problem here because I have had a couple of cases of blackhead. I use cayenne in the feed, topical ivermectin quarterly and copper sulfate occasionally to deal with it and have not seen any signs in Sue.

There are no external signs of maggots during or after the Epsom bath, and the flies really haven't started up here yet. (Central Texas)

Dang, you guys are ON it.

 

[ToBeInTheShade]

If it is flystrike, maggots may continue to hatch out for the next day, requiring several baths. I really hope that amybe the flies just laid eggs on the poop, and it didn’t come from your hen. But if it is in the chicken she would be very ill.

If it is not flystrike, please give her symptoms so that we can figure out what is making her ill. That would include her age, what her crop feels like, if her lower belly is swollen, if she has been laying eggs, and anything else you can think of.

Yes, there is some swelling in her lower belly, but just a little. Her crop is empty, but she really hasn't had a chance to eat because I have been messing with her, and doesn't seem keen to regardless. I'm sorry, I think I posted another reply to you in the wrong place.

 

[ToBeInTheShade]

If it is flystrike, maggots may continue to hatch out for the next day, requiring several baths. I really hope that amybe the flies just laid eggs on the poop, and it didn’t come from your hen. But if it is in the chicken she would be very ill.

If it is not flystrike, please give her symptoms so that we can figure out what is making her ill. That would include her age, what her crop feels like, if her lower belly is swollen, if she has been laying eggs, and anything else you can think of.

I think you're right, they definitely look like maggots. I see no external signs though, so it must be internal I suppose.

I will follow all the treatment suggestions I can find and if nothing works, I reckon I will continue with the original plan to say goodbye on her terms, as she doesn't seem to be in pain and is basking in some sand I brought in for her.

Thank you for your time and attention, I really am learning so much.

 

[ToBeInTheShade]

Update for future seekers:

This morning her poop looks mostly normal. She dropped one that looked and felt like nothing I've seen come out of a chicken's butt, very dense and hard with a distinct odor that I can only describe as a combination of fermentation and decay. I *have* pulled similar things from an impacted crop. No crawlies that I can see.

Not very interested in her feed, but gobbled a couple of mealworms and a slice of tomato. Looks better, not as tattered and seems more attentive.

I did give her some electrolytes right before bed, and I am sure the magnesium from the Epsom baths helped.

Continuing my plan of watching and hoping with no expectations.