maggot vs intestinal worm

[pkwellman]

I thought my girl was egg bound because of her behavior, so I soaked her in a nice epsom salt bath. She has not released an egg HOWEVER, these guys filled up the tub I was soaking her in.. eww .. are these maggots or intestinal worms?

 

[The Coop Crew]

How does her vent look? Is it clean or does it look like something has been eating away at it?

 

[pkwellman]

How does her vent look? Is it clean or does it look like something has been eating away at it?

Hi bobbiejocoop.. she has pulled the feathers out from her vent but the area itself doesn’t look like anything has be eating at it. The more I read, the more I think this actually might be flystrike. I had never heard of this or dealt with it until I started researching. The heat has been terrible here, not sure if that has anything to do with it. The other girls seem ok

 

[The Coop Crew]

Hi bobbiejocoop.. she has pulled the feathers out from her vent but the area itself doesn’t look like anything has be eating at it. The more I read, the more I think this actually might be flystrike. I had never heard of this or dealt with it until I started researching. The heat has been terrible here, not sure if that has anything to do with it. The other girls seem ok

I was thinking flystrike but generally the area is very inflamed and gross looking but maybe you caught it early!!! Just keep soaking until you see no more maggots and make sure if there are any left after soaking you pick them out with tweezers. I would also keep her separate from the flock if it is indeed fly strike.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is a maggot/fly larvae. Fly strike occurs when a wound or prolapse occur, or when the vent area gets soiled from droppings, when flies lay eggs. They will enter the body if not removed on the outside. Do you see a wound, poop, or a prolapse? Repeat the soaks in warm soapy water until maggots are no longer present. Apply a wound spray or plain antibiotic ointment. Please post a picture of where the maggot was seen. Yes keep her separated with food and water. Many times fly strike will happen to a hen with underlying problems.

 

[pkwellman]

Thank you both so much! I feel certain flystrike was the issue. She’s had several Dawn soaks and actually seems to enjoy them. I’m sure it’s been soothing to her because of the heat. She had no traces of the maggots with her last soak, but, I’m going to do a few more soaks just to be certain. I feel like a terrible chicken momma for not catching it sooner. I will be so much more vigilant. Adding a pic of my girl “Coco,” enjoying some time in the yard after a brief rain; this makes me so happy because just a few days ago she could barely hold her head up.. Thanks again for your wisdom!! Love this group!!