Large wound on backside of chicken

[jenbchicken]

I'm out with my chickens multiple times daily. Everyone was eating watermelon when I noticed one of my hens rear feathers were lopsided. Upon further inspection, I about died. The wound is on the side of her rear ended. I don't have any roosters. She acts just fine. Is this a partial egg or her insides?!

What is this and what do I do?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't know what it is but looks bad. Chickens are experts at hiding problems till it's too late.

Where are you located? You need to get her to an avian vet with poultry experience.

 

[jenbchicken]

There aren't any vets that treat chickens anywhere near where we live here in Arkansas. My mind is just blown. She isn't acting any different. I've looked at information on egg binding and such, but none seem to fit.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hopefully someone else will chime in.

A couple of questions:
Is it below the vent?
The center of the wound, is it soft?
Did you find any maggots/insects on/in the wound?

 

[jenbchicken]

It's below her vent and slightly to the right. Everything is soft. I soaked her this morning and treated the area. She still seems fine. I also isolated her to make sure the others don't get too nosey and peck around at it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Separating was a good idea, the others may get curious for sure.
I have asked someone to take a look at this, but it may be a while. I'm not exactly sure how to go forward, whether it is an abcess, something like fly strike, etc.
Keeping her clean and the flies away will be helpful.

 

[jenbchicken]

Here is a better photo of the whole area. Someone mentioned that it could be some sort of burrowing worm? I haven't messed with it much because it may be something that is suppose to be in there. I just don't know. She's still eating and acting totally normal. Maybe a preditor got her? Thank you so much for your help.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Are you anywhere near Little Rock?
UArk has a good vet school and lab. Are you close to Fayetteville?
If they can't look at her they should be able to give you contact info for a vet close to you.
Arkansas is a poultry hub.
http://vdl.uark.edu/21.htm
In the meantime I'd at least put some betadine on it.

Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission Laboratory
One Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Phone: 501-907-2430 Fax 501-907-2410

 

[Eggcessive]

The area below her vent looks like a hen that I have who has a large sack of tissue that bulges out under the ven in the lower abdomen. Others have posted about similar "large red ball below the vent" which may be fat, a hernia, or other unknown bulge. It looks to me like she has been pecked or injured, and the wound has gotten infected and maggots have infested it. That is known as fly strike. I am not experienced with it, but from many threads on BYC, there are tons of information to read. The best treatment is to bring her into the house or garage where flies cannot get to her. Soak her in either Epsom salts, salt water, betadine, or soap and water in a warm bath to her bottom. Look for maggot larvae, gently scrub the wound to debride or clean off the wound scab. Get out any pus, and tweezers may be needed to get most of the maggots out. Repeat the bath again a couple of times a day until all maggots are gone, then dry it and apply plain antibiotic ointment (bacitracin, neosporin, etc.) Keep us posted on this thread how it is looking. Make sure that she is eating well with plenty of protein, and drinking fluids.

 

[mg15]

the fly lays eggs that look like light yellow paste onto the host. the eggs eventually get scattered and will infest another area. they will eat through flesh. also Bot flies are notorious for using would areas for eating. these are much bigger than the maggot. flushing with diluted peroxide one half water to one half peroxide will hopefully kill the maggots on the way out and will bring the Bot fly to the surface so you can get him out of his "cocoon" of flesh. when flushing put her on a dark towel if you can. also use a magnifying glass to see if they maggots have gone anywhere else on her body. I have see maggots eat a bunny alive, and the Bot flies will do the same. ugly shame, but has to be done.