I had to put Curious into eternal sleep on Tuesday 10-24.
Everyone is molting. It was always nice to see Curious's dirty butt feathers get replaced with new ones. Sunday October 22, I went down to the coop and washed her butt off. It was looking more poopy than normal so I thought cleaning it would be a good idea.
Monday she seemed pretty fine but at dinner time, 5 pm, she was already on the perch inside the coop. I thought that was strange but chalked it up to molting behavior. So, I brought her down and out to eat some treats. She kinda of ate, but then just stood around.
Had I known what was to happen, I would have looked at her butt.
I've been fermenting chicken crumble/powder and feeding them some at night. Mostly in the hopes that it would help Curious eliminate her always dirty butt.
Tuesday morning I go to the coop to give them their morning "salad"
and open the gate to the pastures.
Curious is sitting inside the coop, on the floor. I pick her up.
Oh My God. She's bleeding pretty heavily around the anus and there are lots of [what I thought] worms crawling around and maybe in and out of the anus.
Oh God Oh God. What to do?! I grabbed a rag to hold over the bleeding because I couldn't tell exactly where it was. Walked fast up to the house and took another look. Bad. And I know she didn't feel good because she didn't fight me.
Called the vet with the avian doc and drove the 25 minutes in to town.
A long wait at the vet, fitting me in between other patients.
And for some dang reason it was 'dog' day at the vets, the waiting room was full of seniors and their dogs.
I thought she might die before we got to see the vet.
Dr. Lankes took one look at the butt and then looked up at me.
I kinda knew this wasn't good news.
Those weren't worms - they were MAGGOTS !!! !!! !!!
So probably what happened is somehow there was dead or dying tissue that flies laid eggs on. The maggots were about 18 hours old. Did I made a raw spot on Sunday? I feel awful if it was my fault.
And, because they were getting inside her, she probably had some other secondary infection. Basically a septic chicken.
I could take her to the vet hospital at U.C. Davis for expensive treatment, but no guarantees for a complete cure.
.....Or, I could say good-bye and put her out of her misery.
I asked the vet if I could just take her home for the last remaining time and she kindly looked at me and said that would be a cruel way to let her die.
So, I said my good-byes to my Leader, the grand-dame of the coop and one of my best egg layers.
I was able to bring her home and bury her in the chicken cemetery next to Dolly, Evie, Blondie and Amelia.
Here she is on the right with her two original sisters, Gabby and Fearless.
I think Fearless might take over the Flock leader spot, but Jasmine is a good second choice. After the molt, it will be interesting to see how the power structure shifts and who wins out.
We just go through all the Santa Rosa fires, with our mountain being spared! And, then this.....
Bye Curious. I sure will miss you!
