Beak growth

[cml]

How long can a beak be without being too long?
Ive noticed that Stitch's beak seems longer than usual, also the underlying layer is more prominent than it used to be.

It looks like this:


He always have access to wooden toys (which we change every week to keep it interesting), other chew toys, naturual perches and a few cement ones as well.

He loves playing with his toys, loves biting in wood, so I would have thought that his beak would keep itself in good condition. Infact he is sculpting a wooden toy right now, as I am writing this.

Can it be that the food we give him is TOO nutritous (he is on a staple pellet diet, with freshfood at least 3 times a week), is this normal beak growth, or can it be something else? Cheers for any input =).

[marie83]

The beak goes through a similar process as moulting although obviously its not a moult, it's just slowly flaking away and normally that isn't too noticable. Ollies looked similar a few weeks back and I was questioning it too but it looks fine again now so I'm assuming he was just going through a particually bad phase of getting rid of the old beak.
How long has it been like that? I would just keep an eye on it for a few weeks and see if there is an improvement or not.

[cml]

The beak goes through a similar process as moulting although obviously its not a moult, it's just slowly flaking away and normally that isn't too noticable. Ollies looked similar a few weeks back and I was questioning it too but it looks fine again now so I'm assuming he was just going through a particually bad phase of getting rid of the old beak.
How long has it been like that? I would just keep an eye on it for a few weeks and see if there is an improvement or not.

A week or maybe two.

I thought I noticed that looked longer a few weeks back, and because of that then added even more chewing toys to the cage. He has 7 chewing toys atm (they both do), and a lot of perches ^^. He is still chewing on a home made toy I made, so its not that he isnt chewing on stuff.

The difference between the two layers is newer though, as I said, about a week or two.

[terri]

I think his beak looks a little long [he might be the type that needs beak trims] Out of my birds the caiques beaks grow like crazy.They rest seem fine [my breeder does the grooming] boy are they sharp! They seem to eat and handle things fine .But you think the long beak would be hindering. Ive always just had them groomed when they grew .

[cml]

Thanks for all replies so far .

So far it isnt hindering him at all, not even close ^^. Ive never heard of an amazon that needs beak trims but I do think the beak looks like its growing, when comparing to older photos of him. The problem is quite simply, why?

Trimming a beak can be very traumatizing from my understanding, and its not something I would want to do (or that is, let a vet do). I think prevention from the beginning is a much better approach.

Here is the situation broken down:
* Stitch is on a pellet diet
* Eats fresh food 3-4 times a week
* He has access to a LOT ( 7 ) of chewing toys
* He chews frequently on wood and love to play with his toys
* In his cage there is a mixture of natural ( 4 ) and concrete perches ( 2 ) as well as a couple of rope perches.


I cant see why his beak SHOULD grow (other than to replenish what's natural wear), he is provided with everything he needs to keep it in shape by himself, there really shouldnt be a need for a vet trim.

I would love some more input, do you reckon there is something I could do or should I run this by a vet?

[terri]

:Thats what I thought .I was looking at your avatar picture and it does look like it has grown. I havent heard about beak trimming being traumatic. But Ive always had this experienced guy do it .It never crossed my mind their could be problems with it.Im ridiculous about my birds and would have been hesitant to do it . I definitley get the caiques done when the need to [there beaky and chew the crap out of us] After their done everythings fine . not afraid at all.I dont own any amazons so I cant give insite if they are prone to it.Guess it depends on the bird.Wish we new what caused beak growth. All my birds have the same chew things like you .I think your doing everything right . Do you trim your birds nails ? I dont [that guy does them ] I wouldnt be concerned [he seems fine] just find someone you can trust with his beak.

[cml]

I think you are right Terri, my wife spoke with our avian vet today and according to her, trimming the beak wasnt painful at all. As to why his beak was growing she couldnt say, as she thought we were doing everything right. Other than adding even more wood, there was nothing we could do ourselves, but wait and see. If it gets worse we'll take him in for grooming.

His claws are perfect BTW, I have never needed to trim the, they wear down by themselves .

Thanks for your replies so far !

[Ducorp]

i had my hahns macaws beek and nails trimmed last week at a local exotic shop (the avian vet visits every friday) anyway she told me that if you cut to much off the beek it will cause serious pain to the bird . only a very small bit can be cut off . it a lot has to be removed the bird has to be put under anhastecitc which comes with high risks.

trimmin the beek should definately only be done by a professional.

[cml]

Stitch's beak hasnt improved much over summer, so Ive booked an appointment with the vet to trim it and discuss why it has grown as it has. Im a bit nervous of the whole thing of trimming it, but at least its going to be done by a vetrinarian with 20years of experience with parrots. I am so glad that we have a vetrinary clinic that specialises in birds in my town .

[marie83]

Ollies beak is the same still too, it doesn't seem to have grown any more than before and the vet says it's fine. His nails are growing like wildfire though, I'm having to trim them every few weeks. I have never had to do this with any bird before apart from Rosie who's nails were grossely overgrown.