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.
