Birds--General/Dead birds

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Expert: - 1/12/2008


Question
yesterday, January 11 2008, I found all 3 of my cockatiels dead in their cage. They live outside on the lanai. I contacted my local government office about any chemicals being sprayed in my area. They have lived together for about a year now and fighting is not the reason. The strange thing is that when we moved here in January of 2005 the same thing happened to my cockatiel and lovebird. They were both found dead within days of moving in. After asking around I figured the stress of the move killed them. But now that it has happened again I am at a loss as to why?
Any ideas?
Karla Broad, Lehigh Acres FL

Answer
Hi, Karla,

I'm sorry to hear about your losses.  However, there's no way I know why they died.  I recommend you take their bodies to a certified avian vet for necropsy (animal form of an autopsy) in order to determine why they died.  This needs to be done within 48 hours of death and it's best if you have refrigerated (not frozen) their bodies since death.  This would be the only way you might be able to determine why they died.  Their death could be the result of MANY factors, however, the fact they all died at the same time means they were all probably suffering from the same thing.  Stress is a factor as a result of a move, but each bird would handle stress differently, so I don't really believe it was just stress related.  A bird vet would be your best bet to determine cause.   

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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