Oh nooooo. What did I do???

[Justin111785]

I have lost two keets within the past week. The first, a male, Don Juan died last week. I wasn't around. The second, a female, died less than fifteen minutes ago, and I think it was my fault. I was holding her, (which she didn't like,) and she was screeching. Though, I wasn't doing anything else, just petting. She started out very loving, but after Don Juan died, she went in to a complete "don't touch me" phaze. Well, my thought was, "if I just keep her with me, she'll calm down." Well, she suddenly just like, stopped. And died right in my hand. I litterally felt the change. She stopped all noise, and the moment I took her off my finger, her tallens curled up... and I knew that wasn't good. I even looked up how to do bird cpr, but couldn't do it soon enough. Tried for several minutes, without result. What happened? Did she give herself a heart attack? I've heard that they're delicate, but still...
I have cockatiels and they're so much calmer. I'm wondering now, if I should stick to tiels, but give the last two keets up for adoption, or just enjoy them from a distance. I'm shocked and also heartbroken.

[redwing13]

she could have been sick as well and being so agitated was to much for her, I wouldn't be to hard on yourself

[catschair]

I am sorry for your loss. Fly free, little ones.

[chapala]

Sorry for your loss of two birds in such a short time. The only way to know what caused the deaths is a necropsy from an avian vet, but you would have to take the body in immediately or keep it refrigerated until you could take it in.

As a side note, I am completely against forcing birds to be petted - it doesn't develop trust or a good relationship. She may have come around with patience on your part, and perhaps was still grieving the loss of her pal/mate. She obviously was very stressed if she was screeching while being held, and the stress level it sounds like contributed to her death if not the cause.

[Oscars Mom]

Your parakeet was probley sick. Also its not unusual for the second keet in a pair to die very soon after the first one.Dont blame yourself.

[Fluff_puff]

aww so sorry hun dont be to hard on yourself

[jdlilfan]

I'm sorry for your loss. Don't blame yourself. It will be ok!! Hang in there!

[birdlady49]

Originally Posted by chapala

As a side note, I am completely against forcing birds to be petted - it doesn't develop trust or a good relationship. She may have come around with patience on your part, and perhaps was still grieving the loss of her pal/mate. She obviously was very stressed if she was screeching while being held, and the stress level it sounds like contributed to her death if not the cause.

I agree.

Sorry for your losses......

[Lori~D]

sorry for your loss - but at the same time - you should never ever "hold" a bird to be force petted.It doesnt tame them. Taming has to be done with birds by earning trust. The only time you should restrain is to do nec grooming or at the vet. It is possible they were sick and, if thats the case, I would not get another bird until you see what everyone esle is acting like...wait thirty days or so, then if you get another you need to quarentine it for another 30 days or more.

[SDavid]

I'm sorry for your loss. As to why they died, if it had only been the first one I would guess she had been sick. As for the second one, while it's possible, from what youre saying my bet is you stressed her out too much and gave her a heart attack. If she was really protesting you holding her then you shouldn't have forced it. Please remember that unless you've earned trust, to your bird, you are a predator....for all she knew, you were going to eat her. Pets take patience and we need to remember that. They have no way of knowing our intentions. My only advice at this point (if you haven't yet) is to get a book on training or behavior if youre unsure how to go about gaining trust.