Flystrike is something out of a horror movie. Hot temps and high fly populations mean you should watch out for this awful reminder of the cruelties of nature. Flies love filth, darkeness, and moisture, and sometimes the females lay eggs in moist fecal matter on a chicken’s butt. The eggs hatch in 24 to 48 hours and begin to feed — on the live bird’s flesh. It doesn’t take long for the fly larvae to do irreparable damage and kill your bird. To reduce the risk of this awful fate for your chickens, here are a few tips:
–Reduce fly populations by using fly stickers or pheromone traps.
–Clean up moist droppings and remove sources of water or moist foods that attract flies.
–Monitor your birds closely. Yes, check their butts. Flystrike can be easy to miss.
–Watch for decreased activity level and lack of appetite. Smell is a good clue, too. Off odors often indicate a problem.
–Keep your birds’ butts clean. Yes, you may have to bathe them.
–Watch broody hens closely. They’re vulnerable because they’re in one place all the time. You also may not notice if they’re not feeling well because they sit – all the time!
If one of your birds has flystrike, you will have to bathe it and flush any wounds to get rid of ALL (yes, all) the larvae. And continue monitoring for more that hatch. You’ll also have to clean and monitor the wounds for signs of infection and keep her indoors and away from the other chickens. If the condition has persisted for too long, euthanasia may be the best option.
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