FINCHforum

Spike has an odd growth on his beak. Should I file it, cut it off, or leave it alone?

I think it needs to be cut or filed

I had a Gouldian with his beak growing just like that. Take a pair of regular human nail clippers and clip off the excess in line with the rest of his beak on that side.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3428

It may never grow like that again - at least my boys ' didn't .

I call these fanglies

If you don't trim it, it will actually eventually break off on it's own (I've had small fanglies break off before I was able to catch birds in my old large walk in flight).

If it breaks off, it might break off uneven and you might need to file it back a bit.
Also, there's a chance if you leave it it could be impacting his ability to husk seed.

When I've clipped them I've done exactly as Liz has suggested and used a pair of human nail clippers and just snipped it off. If you have a small file you can also file it smooth after clipping it.

Ok, you guys win. I'll trim it with clippers. I better go pick up some styptic powder just in case. When I get back in town I'll try it and post after pics.

Unless you trim it way above the natural line where the beak is split you shouldn't need to worry about any bleeding.. but better safe than sorry, of course

I tried to draw a "guidance" line for you, though I'm sure it's probably common sense.. Easiest way to do it is to have someone else hold him while you pry the beak open so you can easily snip it off without it bending forward first which may not feel too great (like bending a nail backwards before cutting it off).

trim it with nail trimmers-it wont bleed

kenny66 wrote:trim it with nail trimmers-it wont bleed

I wouldn't file it. Use the trimmers like Kenny says.

The trimming with nail clippers seems to be a success. Thanks for your advice everyone.