Hen with a dirty butt

[ORChick]

I've got a hen with a dirty, stinky butt. She hasn't laid an egg in 6 days, though the last few days I've found her in the nesting box and hanging about the coop as though she feels the need to lay. Last evening I put her in ICU to keep the other girls from pecking her, and she hasn't had a noticeable poop in that time - a few wet spots on the bedding, but thats all. This evening I girded my loins, and put her in a shallow tub with warm water (went better than expected; so long as her wings were held close to her body she didn't struggle). I washed what I could off her backside, but there is still a lot of gunk back there. I'll do it again tomorrow morning. I smeared some vaseline around her vent, by feel as I couldn't hold her still and look at what I was doing at the same time. When I was able to look I saw maggots around her vent . Reading on BYC I don't think it is a prolapse, as it doesn't seem big enough. But I am concerned that there hasn't been an egg in 6 days, or a proper poop in at least 24 hours. (She has had a few periods with 5 to 6 day pauses without eggs in the past). I've got ACV in her water, and am giving her kefir mixed with oat flakes, which she is eating. She doesn't seem to be in obvious discomfort, and really wanted to get out and join her comrades this afternoon. I don't have an avian vet in the area, though one of the vets where I take my cats does have chickens, so I think I will call him tomorrow if she hasn't improved. But I thought maybe someone here might have some advice as well. She is almost 2 1/2 years old. Thanks for any words of wisdom.

 

[FarmerDenise]

Is it poop stuck to her or do you think insides are coming out?
If it is just poop stuck on her and possibly closing off her vent, then definitely do what you can to get it off.
I had to clean one of my hens yesterday. I used scissors to cut the nasty glob off at the base of the feathers and hosed her off too.

I have always caught a prolapse early and have been able to push it back in, so I don't know what to tell you as to what to do with your chicken.
I remember seeing a post on what to do for a prolapse, but I cannot remember if it was here or on BYC.

When I come across a really nasty mess, I often put salt, baking soda or epsom salts in a tub of warm water and then bathe the chicken in it. It'll be easier to see what is going on, once you manage to get her good and cleaned up.

 

[xpc]

When I was able to look I saw maggots around her vent . Reading on BYC I don't think it is a prolapse.

I haven't eaten in 2 days and was just about to fry me up some eggs - that was before I read about prolapse and maggots. Of course around here they just call it southern white biscuit gravy with red eyes.

 

[Farmfresh]

When I was able to look I saw maggots around her vent . Reading on BYC I don't think it is a prolapse.

I haven't eaten in 2 days and was just about to fry me up some eggs - that was before I read about prolapse and maggots. Of course around here they just call it southern white biscuit gravy with red eyes.

 

[Dace]

I had a hen start out that way last year and I ended up losing her. Although when I gave her a warm bath I found worms not maggots, so I hope the outcome is better for you.

Mine quickly went down hill from the initial bath....started dropping her wings and just laying in one spot. I got wormer for her, but it was too late.

Not sure if wormer would help your girl, but I hope she makes it!

 

[xpc]

I'm a citified boy but doesn't maggots only eat dead flesh? I thought they used them and leeches on bad wounds and skin grafts.

 

[Farmfresh]

You are right xpc.

Probably if the hen has maggots she is too far gone to save. This could have started with a prolapse or even being egg bound.

If you clean her up and start her on some antibiotics pronto it MAY help - then again the root problem may not be correctable.

If she was my hen, I would cull her as soon as possible. Especially since she is over 2 years old. I realize however that lots of people out there are willing to invest both time and money if they can save a special hen. I understand that too.

If you are certain it is NOT a prolapse and she is eating and drinking well, I would proceed as follows:
A warm water soak after the clean up and even a bit of mineral oil squirted inside can sometimes help if it is being egg bound. Some people also dose orally with a bit of vegetable oil.

If she should continue to decline in the next 24 hours I would definitely cull her. Most vets, unless they are avian specialists, sadly usually know LESS about treating chickens that we do. Not an easy situation to be in.

 

[keljonma]

Sorry to hear about your hen. My very limited experience with maggots is that the hen doesn't usually last long after you see them.

We drenched hen's back end in veg oil to make any "hangers on" slide off her. Then cleaned her up with soap and then warm Epsom salt water and then gently toweled her dry.

You really have to clean her up good and make sure she is getting good nourishment. Keep her isolated and a watchful eye. Best of luck and let us know how she is....

 

[ORChick]

This morning it appeared that she had produced a huge poop, but it turned out to be a huge soft shelled egg! At least four times the size of her usual eggs. And it appears that it is indeed a prolapse; her backside is a mess. I just talked with the chicken guy at the local feed store (on the recommendation of my vet - "nobody knows chickens like the people at the co-op!"), and he confirmed that the best thing is to put her out of her misery. Now I just need to work out the best way to do that. I have never purposefully killed an animal before. I am working myself up to taking her head off, but it is difficult. Any advice for me? Is there a better/easier way than holding her head between two nails on a stump, and stretching out her neck a bit to use the hatchet? It doesn't help that she is the biggest hen in the flock.

 

[MorelCabin]

You can always put her in a box and use the tailpipe of your car to gas her...I've never done it, but have heard of people who have.
The stump with the nails is my way of doing it, it is quick and over with