FINCHforum

Hello everyone,

Need a little advice. I've had my 4 societies in quarantine since the 15th of December and have been watching them closely. They all appear healthy except for my known male (singer) who's upper beak is growing longer by the week. All the rest have normal beaks. I was hoping somehow he would wear it down, even bought a special perch for the purpose, but didn't work.

It looks like I am running out of options and will have to catch him and trim his beak. I'm thinking nail clippers would be best for this but also worry about splintering his beak. There is no vet where I live, so that's not an option. Have any of you had to trim an upper beak before. I'm worried that this may prevent him from eating properly and/or he may end up poking one of the others in the eye if it gets any longer. I'd sau right now it's a good 1/16th longer than the bottom beak.


All the best,

Ed

Here is a link to an article about trimming beaks. I have done it myself, just go very slowly and carefully, trimming off the tiniest bit at a time.

http://www.finchniche.com/features_nailandbeak.php

Here is another article about toenail and beak health, explaining why some problems occur.

http://www.avianweb.com/beakdeformities.html

I had the same thing happen with my Gouldian and just gave her a gentle trim with bird claw trimmers. Just a little at a time.

Yes Ed, its not as hard as you think to trim their little beaks I have a shaft tail whose beak is always growing longer up top. I just catch him, and as Sally said, trim a tiny bit off at a time with nail clippers!

Thank you Sally for the links. I will read them before I proceed.

Sally, lyzziejayne and Amy, thankyou for boosting my confidence. I'll catch the little guy after I read the articles, and will be sure to trim the tiniest bits at a time. They're quite tame and have settled down considerably since they arrived. Glad it's not the waxbills or the blues I have to catch....dunno if I'd ever catch them now, as they have learned to fly so well in the aviary. They whip around in there like lightening and they land now just like little helicopters

Thanks again,
Ed

Get a new finger nail clipper, so you know it is sharp.
Then clean it with alcohol, or at least HOT water and dishwashing soap.

You don't want to trim too much, so trimming a little bit several times a year is better than a lot once. I have a few gouldians that can't seem to keep their beaks even, so I have to trim their beaks a few times a year.

While you have the bird in your hand, check the claws on the feet, and see if they need to be trimmed also.

Thanks Gary. Solid advice. Will definitely follow it.


Ed