Overgrown Beak

[flrancho]

I have an approximately 5 year old male Zebra finch that I am having beak issues with. We last trimmed his beak about two months ago, and then did a little more trimming about 2-3 weeks ago. I was looking in at him today and was shocked at how quickly his beak has overgrown again. Its also starting to "scissor-over" again so that his bottom and top mandibles are crossed. Could there be some condition that is causing his beak to overgrow this fast?

He's in a hospital cage because my male Whydah was picking on him quite severely and pulled a bunch of his feathers out. I've gotten some pictures of his beak so you can give me your thoughts. And as a side note, that is the way his eyes look, its not the lighting or the flash on the camera..... I think he has cataracts.





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[debbie276]

I've heard on and off that too much protein causes the beaks to grow very quick. I've got no idea if this is fact or not but do you feed lots of protein?
Maybe something to consider??

[flrancho]

No, my birds get practically no protein. The only protein I've ever given them was crushed hard boiled egg with the shell, and the first (and so far only) time I've ever done that was several months ago. They eat mostly a finch mix of seed, supplemented with fresh vegetables and fruit when I have it. All my birds get fed the same diet, he's the only one that's having this problem.

[ac12]

I am thinking that w the beaks "scissor-over," the beak does not have the help of the opposite beak to keep it in check. If you can trim it back in stages till it is even (I am scared of trimming too much of the beak at one time) then trim every week to keep it even, that might let the beaks align themselves.
Does he have a cuttlebone in his cage? Chewing on that helps to abrade the beak and keep it somewhat under control...if they chew on the cuttlebone.

[Sally]

Yes, I would trim the beak, just a little at a time, till you get top and bottom aligned. I use a magnifying glass hanging around my neck so I have both hands free and extra-good vision. Then I use nail clippers or cuticle nippers to take off a bit at a time. I would also have Blood Stop or cornstarch ready, just in case you get any bleeding, but I have never had that happen.

I use the concrete Pedi-perches made by Hagen (Living World). I put it by the drinkers, so after the birds have a drink of water, they usually wipe their beaks on the pedi-perch. It helps keep them trimmed (their nails, too).

[flrancho]

He doesn't have a cuttlebone now, but all my birds used to. He had the overgrown beak even with the cuttlebone, so I don't think he was using it. Will see about taking him out again sometime soon and doing more trimming.

[ac12]

Make sure you get a GOOD nail clipper.
I got several from CVS Pharmacy, and of them only one cuts the beak and claws all the way through w/o problem. The others leave a tiny bit uncut that take more work to finish cutting, very irritating.