Quick question

[RJGIII]

Hey everyone,

I recently adopted a young female senegal and she is going through a molt right now. She's about 6-7 months old and her beak is flaking. Im in the process of getting a picture but she's rather uncertain about my phone. Its the bottom beak and it looks like its gotten worse. Ive read to leave it alone and not to pick at it. Is this a normal part of the birdie process or should I be concerned? Also if i increase the calcium in her diet will her beak improve?-

-not sure how to post this pic but this might work....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77435012@N06/6948445218/

[Michael]

Depends how bad it is. I can recognize on my parrot the normal process from experience. If it's like that, obviously it's fine. However, it could demonstrate a nutritional deficiency if it's really bad so it's hard to explain. I scratch it off for my parrots and they are absolutely thrilled. It must be really itchy for them or unpleasant until it is cleared off. I scratch with my fingernail so there's no change of overdoing it.

[RJGIII]

Thanks Michael...I just posted a picture, if you could let me know...it looks pretty bad to me. Also what should I do. Do i bring the bird to the vet or simply increase the calcium and wait for it to improve?

[Michael]

Ok, tell me this... does it look like it's just on the surface and flaky/peeling top layer of beak? Or do you think it runs deeper?

What kind of diet?

[RJGIII]

The parts that are flaking seem to be paper thin and don't appear like they would run deep. I got her 8 days ago and i noticed they gave her pellets (not the good ones but rather the fruity colored kind) and sunflower seeds together. Since I've had her she gets sweet potato, carrots, and broccoli, in the morning and pellets in the evening. (seeds as a training treat). If I give her seeds in with her food she picks them out and won't eat anything else; having said that Im going assume she mainly ate sunflower seeds prior to a week ago.

[Michael]

Honestly, it doesn't look that serious to me. I'd say it's about the worst a normal flaking should get but doesn't look substantial. Kili's might get close to that if I didn't scratch it for her regularly. You definitely do want to move away from the seeds as you guessed and onto an uncolored pellet. I always provide a calcium perch (trims talons, beak, and for chewing) in case they want it but I don't push calcium on them much otherwise. They get sufficient amount from pellets, almonds, and other foods. Let me just point out that sunlight is vital to the absorption of calcium so find a way to get that parrot outside even if it's just in a carrier, the cage, etc for at least 15 minutes per week.

There could still be other health problems so considering you just got the bird, it's a good idea to have it checked by a vet. If it does nothing else, it gets you a contact in case of an emergency or you need advice.

[RJGIII]

Thanks again, I feel a bit better but I will take your advise about the sunlight and the vet just for some peace of mind. A side note; Cheers on the forum, potentially the best out there and certainly the best I've come across.