jomo1972 Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 There is doubt at all that flystrike can affect chickens. I've lost six different hens to it over the last few weeks and I've only just discovered what it is. I just thought they were dying as a result of old age and stress because they are ex-bats. But I looked really closely at one of the dying hens today and she is covered under her feathers with live magots. Now I recognise the symptoms. Lethargic hens that aren't eating or drinking very much but don't have any visible injuries. I took her to the vet who put her out of her misery. Strange thing is that I always thought flystrike couldn't affect chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 im so sorry to hear of your loss. There was another forum member who had flystrike on her hens some time ago. I dont think its a common occurence but none the less something we should all keep our eyes out for. Thanks for reminding us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 I have to say I would not have thought that chickens would suffer from flystrike. I am so sorry you have lost 6 chickens this way. It must have been very distressing for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomo1972 Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 I think it probably isnt very common. But when you have one chicken with it they all contract it fairly quickly. It all makes sense now. I just thought they were dying as a result of old age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 So sorry to hear that your six ex-batts died this way. You gave them a new lease on life and it was cruelly taken away. We are all sadder and wiser now about flystrike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Sad news. It pays to grab them and examine them every so often, and to clean grotty botties so that flies aren't attracted to them. Rotten for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Prompted by this thread, I gave them all a thorough botty wash and powdering yesterday afternoon. There was nothing to find thank goodness, but I shall do it more often. They smell divine now. Catching Piper and Artemis Fowl is a work of art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themoomin Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Hello! I've just rescued 2 ex-batts and put them with my Pepperpot. But how exactly should I wash their mucky bums? Suggestions please! And, what powder did you use, Egluntine? I want to make sure they get as good a start as possible!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I just use an old washing up bowl, with warm water and a few drops of Ecover washing up liquid. I have a large plastic jug of plain water for rinsing. I get the hen into a half nelson and wash its nether regions, using an old cloth kept for the purpose,, rinsing, and patting dry. I always try to do it on a nice day so that they don't catch a chill. If they get a daggy bum in the winter, I dry it very thoroughly, even bringing the hen indoors and using a hairdryer. The powder I used was Barrier Louse Powder. It smells of Lavender and Tee Tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Sorry to dig an old thread up. I've just lost an ex-batt too. She had been poorly for about 10 days, I tried everything and sometimes she would be perky but she sat down a lot. I had to put her in the Eglu at night and get her out in the morning. During the hot period there were a lot of flies in the run and I hosed it down every night. I took her to the vets on Wednesday and she had a shot of Baytril and a check over. Thursday she wandered in the garden and sat down and had a drink. I picked her up to put her back in the run later and got blood on my hands. Checked under her feathers and saw the small maggots. Disgusting. Straight back to the vets and had her put down. I think the flystrike was a secondary thing as she wasn't well anyway and sat still a lot and wasn't preening. Amazing how I had checked her over and the vet just the day before and there was nothing, next day the maggots were there. Vet said they have had a lot of rabbits with it recently but have managed to save them all. Very difficult to get all the eggs and maggots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Article about flystrike in chickens **here**. Sorry to hear about your hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I wash a couple of my girls nethers on a regular basis - they have very fluffy knickers and for no real reason, often get mucky. A spot of Citronella oil after the wash will keep any flies away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 brill informative article. been watching my disabled girl for this. Claret where do you buy your citronella.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 brill informative article. been watching my disabled girl for this. Claret where do you buy your citronella.? from the local pharmacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 oh dear had hoped you had a brill bulk buy place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choille Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I had a broody sitting out. That's the problem with free rangers. But I had found her & was keeping an eye out. On Tuesday I smelt a nasty smell & noticed flies about. She did sucessfully hatch out two chicks, but the nest was filled with a few dead & half dead chicks which I had to dispatch. The chicks rear ends appeared red & swollen. I think it was fly strike - which I had never seen before. Really disgusting. The two survivors and Mum seem fine & are safely enconsed in house and run. But I do feel sickened about the fate of the rest of the chicks. I've kept hens for nearly 10 years & have never experienced this before. It has been so very hot weather-wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggy-Bread Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Hi. I'm so glad I came across this thread as I lost Ingrid yesterday to a comination of Campylobacter and flystrike. Very horrid for my poor girl. As a result of reading this I am more aware of flystrike and have just given a rather indignant Matida a botty wash, dry and treatment and will keep a very close eye on her. It does seem that the recent hot weather has a lot to do with it. Hope your chooks continue ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggregiousness Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Is it OK to put citronella in the rinsing water after a chicken-bath, or should it just go in the coop? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
