What in the worm world? (GROSS)

[aart]

Was that video taken immediately after she pooped?

 

[ToBeInTheShade]

Was that video taken immediately after she pooped?

Yes, and she continued to do that occasionally until the afternoon, and I haven't seen any "bugs" since then

 

[aart]

Yes, and she continued to do that occasionally until the afternoon, and I haven't seen any "bugs" since then

Then I would think it is not maggots.
Could fly eggs get inside the bird and hatch there?

 

[ToBeInTheShade]

Then I would think it is not maggots.
Could fly eggs get inside the bird and hatch there?

I never would have thought so, but in my digging yesterday I came across a condition:
"Myiasis is the parasitic infestation of the body of a live animal by fly larvae that grow inside the host while feeding on its tissue. Although flies are most commonly attracted to open wounds and urine- or feces-soaked fur, some species can create an infestation even on unbroken skin and have been known to use moist soil and non-myiatic flies as vector agents for their parasitic larvae."

So, I'm grossly fascinated by the knowledge, but also perplexed as it just hasn't been a hospitable environment for flies of any sort here lately.

She is definitely feeling better, and not acting like anything is "feeding on its tissue". I guess it could be just a temporary relief from shedding so many at once?

Edited to add that I did notice that the critters weren't necessarily trying to escape the watery poop, just thrashing around in it. I have noticed in my (apply sarcasm font here) extensive experience with them that they need oxygen, but apparently some species don't, or they couldn't live inside?

 

[aart]

So, I'm grossly fascinated by the knowledge, but also perplexed as it just hasn't been a hospitable environment for flies of any sort here lately.

Where are you located?
Best bet(in my dreams) would be(have been) to get the wriggling poop to someone with a microscope and vast entomology knowledge.

 

[Ginmary]

Hard to see what they look like from the video. Can you describe an individual creature? Are they larva like. Shorter and wider more like a tiny caterpillar. (Maggots are larva, not worms) As opposed to stringy like a worm and all one width from one end to the other. If you see them again can you get a couple separated from the rest and get a picture?
Also, maggots usually have a darker spot near the narrower end which is the head area and usually even fruit fly maggots are very visible to the naked eye, fly maggots very much so.

 

[ToBeInTheShade]

Hard to see what they look like from the video. Can you describe an individual creature? Are they larva like. Shorter and wider more like a tiny caterpillar. (Maggots are larva, not worms) As opposed to stringy like a worm and all one width from one end to the other. If you see them again can you get a couple separated from the rest and get a picture?

I definitely thought they looked like maggots once I looked closer. They were smaller than housefly maggots, and thinner. At first I thought they were cecal, but they appeared segmented and they were somewhat translucent, you could see "food" inside them. They moved around a lot, but they didn't go anywhere, even when I removed one from the poop puddle. I will take a picture if it happens again and will try to find one on the web in the meantime.

I do have a microscope, it never occurred to me to look. Now I feel dumb, but that's okay, these chooks have made me feel that way before!

 

[ToBeInTheShade]

This picture is very similar. It's flea larva. I have seen her eat mice, and there are wild birds and squirrels that hang out and the chickens free range most days.

 

[staceyj]

This is a weirdly fascinating thread! Simultaneously AND

Could she have access to a drainage pipe, septic system etc somewhere on your property ?

This article is about “drain fly larvae”

...Cool pictures.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/moth_fly_larvae_cause_a_stir_in_bathroom_toilet

 

[ToBeInTheShade]

Yes, those definitely could be the culprits! No access to the septic, but I did have to repair the gray water drain hose from the washer about a week ago?

My poor husband is disgusted... with me, with chickens in the bathroom and with bugs in general. Fortunately, he's a kind and gentle soul.