The first day we picked the maggots out with tweezers and used hydrogen peroxide on her. It seemed like we had gotten most of them but by the next day she was covered again. I picked maggots out of her wounds 6 times over 2 days. We finally ended up getting some screw worm spray and put it on her. That stuff really works! The maggots were all gone within an hour.
She is now recovering in the bathroom. She is eating a little and drinking a lot. We've been putting calendula spray on her wounds and have decided to name her calendula. I know she isn't out of the woods yet, but I'm hopeful. She has been maggot free for 4 days.
14 comments:
There's not too many people in this world (especially up here in Appalachians where I live) that would go to such lengths to save a chicken. Thank you. And thank you for bringing up such a thoughtful and caring son.
Oh that is so sweet! I'm with Joanna, unless I really wanted more chickens (or any chickens) I doubt I would. However, I think that is really a good idea! I think you are a special person Christy!
I'd have sent her off to chicken heaven, but you did a fine job.
Believe it or not, the maggots were your friends for a short while. They only eat dead/dying tissue. They may even have helped ward off infection. Still, they needed to come off.
Sound like she's on her way to recovery. Good luck to all of you.
Yes to what CeeCee said. In a life or death survival situation, it's not a bad idea to leave the maggots on a wound, as disgusting as that seems.
Awww, your a good chickie Momma. I (would) have done the same thing.
Hats off to you! That chicken is very lucky...
Yeah!!!! You rock, Christy! (and, of course, Logan does too)
Keep me posted. I am still keeping my fingers crossed!
How wonderful that you care that much...I just had to dress one.
I knew you were a very kind person.
CeeCee - I read very conflicting stuff about maggots in wounds. The ones used in hospitals to treat wounds are specially bred ones that are sterile. Some maggots eats more than just dead tissue. Some will eat live tissue and can even eat an animal from the inside out. It depends on the type of maggot. I thought better safe than sorry. And maggots definitely carry bacteria.
Gail - I did 10 meat birds a couple of weeks ago. So, I guess it is conflicting. Save some, kill others.
That picture of her on the toilet is hilarious! :-)
I hope she'll be ok, Christy. She's pretty.
How long will you keep her quarantined from your other chickens? Aside from letting her fully heal so she won't get picked on, you should take your time to ensure she doesn't have any communicable diseases that could spread to your precious chickens. Good luck!
That is so kind of you to go to that extent to save her, I would have done the same. She is definitely a fighter if she was able to get away from whatever it was that attacked her. Never heard of the spray for screwworms, good to know. (I cannot tell you how bad my skin is crawling right now). Maggots are sooo gross. Did you also put antibiotics in her water? I hope she survives.
My hat is off to you and Logan for trying to help the chicken. I sure hope she makes it. With both of you "nursing" her back to health I amcrtain I will meet her when we visit.
Way to go! that is one lucky chick!
I will keep her quarantined for at least another week, it has been almost 2 weeks already. I want to make sure she is healed before she goes out. I haven't put any antibiotics in her water, I try to avoid them. She's been getting herbs and yogurt.
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