how to trim a beak?

[Tish]

I was feeding my finches today and noticed that one of my society finches has a beak that has a small split at the side of it and that piece is overgrown. I don't know how that's happened, I watched him and he's still able to eat. However I need to trim it, I've never done this before, how do you trim it? Also could anyone tell me why this is happening? I've had them for a year without a problem until now. I've thought about going to the vet, but the only one around me charges 155.00 dollars, which if I can avoid paying would be ideal.

[lovezebs]

Tish

Hi Tish,

Here is a little article which explains things a lot better than I ever could .

https://ladygouldian.com/content/beak-c ... ten-reeves

Good luck.

[Tish]

That was a great article, but she is cutting the tip of the beak. I need to cut the side of one. It's so weird I don't know what happen to it. I'am so stressed!

[Fraza]

One of my nanas society’s has this can it cause problems ?

[wildbird]

Put some pieces of lava rock or sandstone near a food or water dish on the floor. The stones should be heavy enough so as not to move when the bird rubs it's beak against it. If you can get a piece of lava rock with a screw in it to be fastened to the side of the cage, that may help. The bird will wipe it's beak on it and trim it itself. A bag of lava rock for landscaping can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot, and the one that can be fastened to the cage can be bought at Petco,(sometimes) or ordered from Drs. Foster Smith catalog. I use them this way to help keep beaks and nails trim. If it became a problem with eating, then maybe use a paper nail file that you would use on your own nails. I think it would be very stressful for the bird and you to do this. A very good avian vet once told me not to trim a beak unless the bird is not able to eat because of it.

[MariusStegmann]

Tish Stones won't do it at this stage. You will have to be brave and cut. Just take a nailclipper and cut the extra bit off. Have box of matches with you when you do it, because it you cut too deep and it bleeds, just light a match, blow it out and quickly before the match had time to cool, press the matchhead against the bit that is bleeding. It will stop the bleeding. Personally, I think that the blood veins runs to the tip of the beak and not so much to the sides of the beak, so I don't think it will be so difficult. I had to cut the bottom mandible of 2 of my finches. With the one, I cut too deep and it bled a little, but not enough for me to have to seal it.

[MariusStegmann]

Fraza Yes, a bird with a overgrown mandible struggles to eat properly and can also not feed young babies.

[lovezebs]

Tish

Don't stress my dear .

I have had to trim the tips of some Canary beaks some years ago, and it's not as horrible as it sounds, in fact it's easier than trimming the nails on those tiny toes.

Grab your birdling, hold him in the palm of your hand, with head between thumb and forefinger. Gently trim the excess beak material with either clippers or little scissors, a bit at a time, then smooth edge with emery board...Done!

Good luck

[Fraza]

MariusStegmann really she’s very old my grandma she looks after them well but she’s doesbt have a breeding pair she only has 2 males it they have cuttlebone in there cage but I haven’t been down there in a while but next time I do I will have a look then in this case

[Fraza]

I presumed it happened with old age

[lovezebs]

Tish

Well, don't keep us in suspense girlie... did you do the deed???

[Tish]

Not yet, my sister and brother are going to help me after the weekend. Until then I'am keeping an eye on him to make sure he eats, he's the first one to the dish every time. Will post when the deed is done.

[MariusStegmann]

Tish "When the deed is done" You make it sound like a murder.

[Tish]

I hate to post this, but sadly he past away. I thought he was eating, but I think I was wrong I think he couldn't Crack the shells, maybe he was the first one at the dish because he was so hungry. I waited to long to trim his beak now he's dead. I feel like a failure. I did this to him. I'am so sorry

[lovezebs]

Tish

Oh hon, so sorry to hear this.

You can't know for sure that that's why he passed away, sometimes these things just happen.

Just very recently I lost a beautifu young Java, no idea what happened there, and yesterday I found a dead Zebra baby, buried in the nest (should have seen him and hand fed him, but didn't check soon enough, and didn't find him until it was too late). We can't blame ourselves for everything and beat ourselves up over it, or we'll drive ourselves insane.

We can only do the best that we can do sweetie .