Large Hole in Chicken's Back (Image Included)

[Maegan Moaratty]

So last night I was playing with my hens and noticed one of my girls had a wound on her back. It is in the center on top of her back and was slightly covered by feathers. When I moved her wing to the side it exposed the entire wound. It is about a dime size hole surrounded by a sort of "ridge". I've separated her from the flock while I determine how to best treat the wound. As of right now based on my research, I think it's from a bot fly. I am in Central Florida and I do have many squirrels in my yard (my understanding is their presence can attract the bot flies, but could be wrong). I flushed out the wound with some warm water and then some hydrogen peroxide last night. I plan to buy some Veterycin today, but I believe there may be bot fly larvae burrowed in her. Has anyone seen a wound like this on their chicken(s)? If so, what do you think it may be caused by? I appreciate any and all suggestions for treating it so I can help her heal as soon as possible.

 

[ashlierami]

So last night I was playing with my hens and noticed one of my girls had a wound on her back. It is in the center on top of her back and was slightly covered by feathers. When I moved her wing to the side it exposed the entire wound. It is about a dime size hole surrounded by a sort of "ridge". I've separated her from the flock while I determine how to best treat the wound. As of right now based on my research, I think it's from a bot fly. I am in Central Florida and I do have many squirrels in my yard (my understanding is their presence can attract the bot flies, but could be wrong). I flushed out the wound with some warm water and then some hydrogen peroxide last night. I plan to buy some Veterycin today, but I believe there may be bot fly larvae burrowed in her. Has anyone seen a wound like this on their chicken(s)? If so, what do you think it may be caused by? I appreciate any and all suggestions for treating it so I can help her heal as soon as possible.

Does she seem to be in any discomfort or behavior changes? I've been told if it's botfly you cover it with Vaseline several times a day and it will another the larvae forcing it to come out for air .

 

[termeerchick]

Awe poor girl. I don’t know much about bhot flys but maybe @casportpony or @Eggcessive can help. There are a lot of helpful people on BYC.

 

[333113]

Bot fly can be treated by almost any veterinarian, whether or not they are a chicken veterinarian. They will basically remove the larva, and flush the wound. They may or may not give chicken antibiotics.

If you are not near a vet and cannot do the removal yourself, my vet tech friend says that you can just isolate your chicken to keep the other birds from pecking and making the bot wound worse. The bot will emerge in time on its own, without being fatal to your chicken. She also said that the bot may have made an unfortunate choice in choosing your chicken over a rabbit or cat or squirrel, in that the emerging bot may be immediately eaten by the chicken. So much for growing your own food!

 

[AsaDotJava]

Cutebra (bot flies) are fascinating! If you do remove the larva/get it removed, I recommend keeping it in a jar as a unique conversation starter

Removing them oneself is rather simple, but not for the weak-stomached. And as Connie said above, ANY vet can assist if needed.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can see a vet to help you to make sure that it is a bot fly larva. There are numerous ways to remove them from pouring iodine onto them to get them to release themselves, to using petroleum jelly to smother them, and others. Here is a link with several remedies:
https://www.thoughtco.com/botfly-facts-4173752

Pictures of the larvae once you get it out would be interesting to see.

 

[Ashirah]

I just found bot fly larvae in my rabbits this year in western Maine- first time I ever saw them. Was wondering if birds could get them too, now I know!