One of my zebra finch chicks hatched out with a hooked bill - top over bottom. As he had grown, it is a bit larger. He eats fine on his one and seems quite healthy. Obviously he isn't going to be used for breeding.
Has anyone else dealt with this? Would trimming help? Will it overgrow to the point he can't feed himself if I don't trim it?
Hooked bill
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MiaCarter
- Molting
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- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:36 pm
- Location: SW Florida
Re: Hooked bill
It's difficult to know without a photo, but it sounds like what you're seeing is an egg tooth, which is a totally natural and healthy part of bird anatomy.
This is very common in newborn hatchlings. Some have a more pronounced egg tooth than others. It's used for pipping.
It will self-correct as he grows if it is, in fact, an egg tooth.
If it's an actual deformity, then it will not disappear as he grows.
In that case, you could trim it. I'd only intervene if he's experiencing difficulties eating.
I think it's unlikely he'll have any issues. I think he'll be just fine.
Congrats on your new little one!
This is very common in newborn hatchlings. Some have a more pronounced egg tooth than others. It's used for pipping.
It will self-correct as he grows if it is, in fact, an egg tooth.
If it's an actual deformity, then it will not disappear as he grows.
In that case, you could trim it. I'd only intervene if he's experiencing difficulties eating.
I think it's unlikely he'll have any issues. I think he'll be just fine.
Congrats on your new little one!
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.
www.PetFinchFacts.com
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.
www.PetFinchFacts.com
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Aspen
- Fledgeling
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:12 am
Re: Hooked bill
He is about 2 months old and while it was noticeable in the nest, it has gotten longer. (Looks like a bald eagle type of hook.) I had to move him and his siblings to a different cage so took the opportunity to trim it. Couldn't get it back above the lower beak, but at least got it even. He didn't seem to mind much.
Looking forward to seeing him color up. I think he will be OBFIsabel/bb. Neat to see if he is full OB!
Looking forward to seeing him color up. I think he will be OBFIsabel/bb. Neat to see if he is full OB!
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MiaCarter
- Molting
- Posts: 3528
- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:36 pm
- Location: SW Florida
Re: Hooked bill
I'm happy to hear you got a chance to trim it!
It sounds like he should make out just fine.
I've seen some really deformed beaks over the years. It's often surprising how well they can adapt! Especially for those who are born with the deformity, as it's all they've ever known.
It may still self-correct. The beak is a bit like a nail in terms of the texture and structure.
They grow out from the base of the beak.
They grow in the other direction too, with the outer layer peeling off to reveal a new layer underneath.
So it can take a while for the shape to normalize. (Think of it like a nail. If you have a defect in the nail, it takes some time to grow out.)
Since it seems congenital, I doubt it will ever look perfectly normal, but it could still improve as he gets older.
As long as he's eating okay, I wouldn't be too worried. I bet he'll do just fine!
I'd love to see a photo if you have one! He sounds lovely.
It sounds like he should make out just fine.
I've seen some really deformed beaks over the years. It's often surprising how well they can adapt! Especially for those who are born with the deformity, as it's all they've ever known.
It may still self-correct. The beak is a bit like a nail in terms of the texture and structure.
They grow out from the base of the beak.
They grow in the other direction too, with the outer layer peeling off to reveal a new layer underneath.
So it can take a while for the shape to normalize. (Think of it like a nail. If you have a defect in the nail, it takes some time to grow out.)
Since it seems congenital, I doubt it will ever look perfectly normal, but it could still improve as he gets older.
As long as he's eating okay, I wouldn't be too worried. I bet he'll do just fine!
I'd love to see a photo if you have one! He sounds lovely.
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.
www.PetFinchFacts.com
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.
www.PetFinchFacts.com
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Aspen
- Fledgeling
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:12 am
Re: Hooked bill
I think his brother will be full OBFBBIsabel. From an BBFIsabel/OB dad and a F/OBBBIsabel mom. Two female chicks are IsabelBB but not sure if they are split OB or not. They don't have the same amount of orange on their wings as their brothers, and hens are hard to tell anyway.
Interesting that with that pairing I would expect 50/50 Isabels and fawns. First clutch - all four Isabels, second clutch still in the nest, 2 Isabels, one fawn. Not bad considering I was wanting Isabels!! (Now to get her to stop laying...)
Interesting that with that pairing I would expect 50/50 Isabels and fawns. First clutch - all four Isabels, second clutch still in the nest, 2 Isabels, one fawn. Not bad considering I was wanting Isabels!! (Now to get her to stop laying...)