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CHICKY (Blue and Gold Macaw)
Chicky – Documented Timeline of Health Concerns, Staff Reports, Delayed Care and Death
Date of arrival at Avalon: October 8, 2022
Date of Death: June 4, 2024
Age at Death: 31 (Hatched 1992)
Chicky was a sweet and interactive Blue and Gold Macaw who had adjusted well to her environment and engaged with staff through hand-holding, talking, dancing, and exploring the play stands. Over the course of several months, staff observed signs of illness including changes in droppings, reduced activity, and unexplained bleeding episodes.
Despite repeated reports and direct communication with Susanne Cochran, Chicky was not taken to a veterinarian, until the day she died. This timeline documents observed symptoms, communications, and the lack of timely intervention.
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Timeline of Observations and Communications
March 12, 2024
Bright green, runny droppings were observed in multiple birds cages, including Chicky. This symptom had also been noted previously in 2 Kakariki who were caged by these other parrots and had recently died. Staff texted Susanne to report that Chicky and the others were now displaying the same symptom. Susanne replied that if it happened again, the poop should be saved in a plastic bag so she could look at it, but only if she was in town. Poop samples were saved in plastic bags. Susanne later said the way they were saved wasn't acceptable and that she needed to see all of the poop, not just one, from multiple birds.
March 22, 2024
Green droppings persisted from Chicky. A note in the parrot care log questioned whether Susanne had checked on the birds droppings herself since she wouldn't accept the newspapers saved for her as "acceptable".
April 14, 2024
The weekend feeder arrived early in the morning and discovered blood spatter all over the walls and floors around Chicky's cage, and all over inside her cage. He took pictures and videos and shared them with the Store Manager and Susanne Cochran. Chicky was reported as being less active and not her usual self. Per this staff member, Susanne commented that was just a nosebleed. She did not initiate any veterinary care and stated that she was busy with customers.
May 1, 2024
Blood was observed again around Chicky's cage. The incident was reported to Susanne, who again did not respond with any action or vet care.
May 14, 2024
Blood was once again found in or around Chicky's cage. This was reported, and again no veterinary care was initiated.
May 16, 2024
Blood noted in Chicky's cage again. Chicky was described as listless. This information was conveyed to Susanne. No medical attention was pursued.
April–May 2024 (General Pattern)
Throughout April and May, Chicky's droppings remained abnormal, ranging from bright green to yellow. Multiple bleeding incidents were reported. Despite these repeated symptoms and communications, Susanne did not take Chicky to the vet.
April 30, 2024
Susanne texted that she would get Chicky a vet appointment. This was in response to ongoing reports of Chicky’s abnormal droppings and reduced activity; however a vet appointment never occured.
June 4, 2024
Chicky was found with her head tucked, unsteady, and bobbing her head in a disoriented manner by 2 staff members and a customer.
2:48pm: The Store Manager texted Susanne informing her of Chicky's decline.
3:34pm: The Store Manager text Susanne again with a picture of Chicky obviously not doing well
3:39pm: Susanne text back "Move her to the back." (Meaning she wanted the Store Manager to move Chicky's cage off the salesfloor and into the shelter area.)
3:53pm: The Store Manager and Parrot Care Specialist grew more concerned about Chicky's distress and the Store manager decided to call around to some vets to see who could possibly see her. She texted Susanne and said she would take her to the vet if Susanne wouldn't.
Per the Store Manager and Parrot Care Associate it seemed obvious that this was an emergency situation. Due to their concerns and fear that Susanne would make additional excuses not to provide vet care, they video recorded the interaction as Susanne reluctantly took Chicky to the vet. (Video below) A customer also observed the situation and described Susanne as "throwing a fit" because she had to take the bird to the vet.
Per Susanne, she took Chicky to a vet and texted that she was found to be emaciated, dehydrated, and suffering from a large abdominal mass, likely an enlarged liver and atherosclerosis.
7:14PM: Chicky died.
Later that day, a staff member informed the store manager that she had been reporting to Susanne directly for months, that Chicky's droppings had turned yellow and mostly liquid, and that she had not been eating as much. These concerns were never logged in the parrot care log, and no vet visit had occurred prior to the emergency and her tragic death.
The staff that so loved Chicky, and felt her death was preventable, mourned and struggled to stay at Avalon in these conditions. They bought flowers and placed them in her cage to remember her and assuage their guilt at not being able to do more to save her. But Susanne rolled her eyes at the flowers and (per customers) said she didn't know anything about it and there was nothing that could be done for her anyway.
This timeline outlines a selection of documented incidents and communications concerning Chicky’s declining behavior and symptoms. It does not represent the full scope of medical concerns or staff observations.
Additional information was originally recorded in the Parrot Care Log, which was used to note concerning or unusual observations, identify who witnessed them, track who was informed, and document whether any action was taken. This log was an important tool for recognizing health patterns and determining whether issues were addressed. Susanne later removed the Parrot Care Log from the store without notice, and as a result, many months of contextual details—including specific dates, communications, and follow-up actions—were lost. Staff recalls other incidents and/or concerns of wellbeing that are no longer verifiable due to the absence of that documentation.
The information included in this timeline reflects what could be factually supported through photographs, records, and saved communications.
Chicky's sick behavior
To view pictures and documents:
Scroll through the items below (on a computer) by double clicking on the pictures and using the arrows on either side of the pictures to scroll through. Only a picture preview is in the display array, and the arrow isn't easy to view in all browsers.
