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[skye]

Having read the FAQ post on impacted crop, I am considering what to do with our Lily. She is currently on Baytril after a soft egg may have led to an infection, but aside from that has a huge crop, even first thing this morning when I checked. The vet suggested that if it didn't go down on its own, she could administer paraffin to get things moving again, but the FAQ on this forum recommends massaging, olive oil and maggots.

 

My question is: reading about the differences between maggots and mealworms online, apparently maggots can transmit salmonella to birds due to having been raised on carrion? Is this correct? I'm also worried that the maggots might eat into my chicken from the inside?!!

 

Could somebody more experienced please shed some light on my questions. I am not sure whether to do nothing for a day or so, to see whether the issue is simply just that her system has become sluggish due to the infection. She is much brighter than she was yesterday so I am hopeful, apart from her bulging crop.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Skye x

[Redwing]

I've used maggots for impacted crop, they worked but the problem reoccurred after a month, sadly I think there are sometimes bigger reasons behind these things

 

I used undyed maggots and they didnt cause any health problems, I dont think they would cause internal damage.

 

I dont think mealworms would have the same effect, I dont think they'd eat the crop contents in the same way

[The Dogmother]

Tasha's right about mealworms not doing the same job. Don't worry, I've never heard of a chicken being eaten by the maggots inside it

[francesca88]

I've tried this and it didn't work! Although hen thought it was fantastic, lots of lovely tasty maggots!

In the end I syringed an eggcup-full of olive oil down her throat and massaged her crop a few times a day for a couple of days and it eventually became unblocked.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I use them all thr time we don't have salmonella...

They work really well for both blocked crop and sour as they apparently eat the goop.

My vet recommends liquid parafin as it is not absorbed at all and passes right through, having coated contents, but success will depend on the reason it is blocked.

if it is blocked due to a blockage further down the system then it is possible nothing will actually work untill it has worked through and the crop may go sour, You will then be treating and maintaining until it has worked through.

If your chook likes the maggots let her stuff they will only help, my experience is that when they really "need " them they wont eat themselves.

Then you have to work on the root cause which could be as simple as a softee on route or a slow egg.

 

good luck

[Plum]

I did read that maggots with stripes can eat the animal from the inside but sorry I don't know thier proper name