large male found dead

[casportpony]

Quote: You're so right, but many people are not tuned in like many of us are.

I mean no offense to anyone, but one such case was where someone proudly posted a picture of their bird, then several of us commented that the bird looked really unwell, and that bird died three hours later. Cause of death was blackhead.

Necrotic enteritis is a disease that can cause sudden death, and it's a real possibility with too many birds living in a small space.

OP didn't mention how fat or thin the dead birds were, so that info sure would be helpful.

-Kathy

 

[KsKingBee]

I remember that bird, sad deal there. Adversity is a great teacher if we can learn from it.

 

[casportpony]

I remember that bird, sad deal there. Adversity is a great teacher if we can learn from it.

How can we teach people how to spot illness better?

-Kathy

 

[zazouse]

I don't think sunflower seeds have anything to do with it, my birds eat all kinds of seeds in the pasture and they eat peanuts shell , gourd seeds in the shell and all,sunflower seeds are free choice when i harvest them.they eat the sorghum i plant too.
They did say there was grit available also

 

[DylansMom]

You're so right, but many people are not tuned in like many of us are.

I mean no offense to anyone, but one such case was where someone proudly posted a picture of their bird, then several of us commented that the bird looked really unwell, and that bird died three hours later. Cause of death was blackhead.

Necrotic enteritis is a disease that can cause sudden death, and it's a real possibility with too many birds living in a small space.

OP didn't mention how fat or thin the dead birds were, so that info sure would be helpful.

-Kathy

In danger of beating a dead horse here, but gotta say it. Take some time EVERY day to look at each of your birds, doesn't have to be a long time, just enough to see how they are acting when they forget you are looking. As long as they know you are looking they will attempt to hide illness/weakness, if they don't try to hide it they are in Dire Straights already and you have a critically ill bird on your hands. It doesn't take that long to learn how they should look and act, then it is easy to spot when one is "off" in some way.

@casportpony I actually met someone once who fed nothing but dry cat food to their Peas, as distressing as it was, their birds looked healthy. They were also free ranged so I assume they were able to get enough diversity in their diet to survive.

 

[casportpony]

I don't think sunflower seeds have anything to do with it, my birds eat all kinds of seeds in the pasture and they eat peanuts shell , gourd seeds in the shell and all,sunflower seeds are free choice when i harvest them.they eat the sorghum i plant too.
They did say there was grit available also

The feed store feeds BOSS, whole grains and *no* grit and their birds don't die from it (they die from other things, but not that). Not saying it's okay to feed BOSS and whole grains without grit, just that they do.

-Kathy

 

[KsKingBee]

How can we teach people how to spot illness better?

-Kathy

Peakeepers need to be 'in tune' with their birds, they should spend time with them every day observing them and assaying their behaviour. Knowing the habits and personalities of the birds is a key ingredient of knowing when they are not well.

The clinical signs I look for are if they are standing alone and avoiding other birds, drooping wings, rough appearance, swelling of the face and sinuses, runny nostrils and weeping eyes. Looking at stools for anything different in consistency and color. Food intake is another thing to watch.

These are just the first things to come to mind, I know there are things other posters can add.

 

[casportpony]

Quote: I think we do need to keep up beating the horse until all pea owners master this...

My mistake on the cat food, the salt levels are similar to the feed mine get.

-Kathy

 

[Garden Peas]

I think we do need to keep up beating the horse until all pea owners master this...

My mistake on the cat food, the salt levels are similar to the feed mine get.

-Kathy

Sigh. Another reason we need to redo the stickies...

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Some might think I'm crazy, but if I'm within 20 yards and see one poop, I'll go check it out, lol.

-Kathy