Beak Problem!

For concerns related to avian illness and wellbeing.
Post Reply
User avatar
Love Of Finches
Hatchling
Hatchling
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:32 am
Location: Illinois

Beak Problem!

Post by Love Of Finches » Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:38 pm

Ok, SO I bought a New Zeb the otherday.

Well her bottom beak is longer than the top.

I have noticed that she prefers eating seeds off of the bottom of the cage. So I fill the seed cup and put seed on the floor of the cage.

Is there anything I can do or shouldn't do for her?

User avatar
EmilyHurd
Complete Clutch
Complete Clutch
Posts: 865
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:10 pm
Location: Colorado

Post by EmilyHurd » Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:49 pm

You should probably trim her beak. If you don't know how I would take her back to the store you just purchased her from and have them do it. I would just put seed in the cups to encourage her to not eat from the ground.

User avatar
Hilary
Mod Extraordinaire
Mod Extraordinaire
Posts: 2336
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:39 pm
Location: Arlington, Virginia

Post by Hilary » Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:29 am

You can also take a nail file and work gently on the longer part of her beak. She won't like it, but it's safer than clipping.
Hilary

User avatar
NDan
Nestling
Nestling
Posts: 77
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:26 am
Location: Grand Forks, ND

Post by NDan » Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:14 pm

I've clipped the end of my society's beak several times now. It doesn't splinter or even feel particularly hard, just clips off. It IS very sharp and thin. If there were more beak material I think I would try a file, but so far, haven't needed to.

User avatar
tursiopschic
Mature
Mature
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:28 am
Location: San Diego

Post by tursiopschic » Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:26 pm

Are there any pictures that show what the ideal beak shape should be for the different species?

I don't think any of mine need their beak trimmed, but for future reference it would be good to know.
~olivia

User avatar
EmilyHurd
Complete Clutch
Complete Clutch
Posts: 865
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:10 pm
Location: Colorado

Post by EmilyHurd » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:19 am

They should only need to have their beak trimmed if it is overgrown. You can usually tell very easily. Either the top or bottom will normally be longer, and sometimes both will grow out of control.

Post Reply