Beak slashing?

cookiemom18 · Post by **cookiemom18** » Sun May 20, 2007 7:32 am

My finch slash at the perches with their beaks. It looks like they are trying to sharpen them? What's that about?

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Sun May 20, 2007 8:25 am

hi cookie
you will probably also notice that they do this directly after eating..it is quite common and is the only way they can clean thier beaks and keep them in good shape!

ken

cookiemom18 · Post by **cookiemom18** » Sun May 20, 2007 7:00 pm

Maybe I should put in napkins

Rue · Post by **Rue** » Sun May 20, 2007 7:06 pm

...I'm an absolute fan of SandyPerch...I have one in every bird cage, by the food bowls...in addition to keeping their nails dull, it gives them a nice surface to beak-wipe on...

Boothcreek · Post by **Boothcreek** » Sun May 20, 2007 10:20 pm

Poultry do that too, they whipe their beak on the ground after they have eaten something stick, or liquidy. I think my Weavers are just doing it though so their bite hurts more, cause those beaks are VERY sharp!!!

cookiemom18 · Post by **cookiemom18** » Mon May 21, 2007 7:42 am

I do have a perch with permanent "sand" on it...maybe sandy perch?
and I do cover some bars with the sand paper covers.
Thanks for the info.

Rue · Post by **Rue** » Mon May 21, 2007 9:56 am

Glad you have one. SandyPerch is a brand name. I like it the best of what's available...but there are other brands available as well. I don't like the concrete perches...won't buy those.

I wouldn't get the sandpaper perch covers. They tend to move and the birds get scared. Then they won't sit on them...and they're not reusable...and get dirty fast.

Don't have too many rough perches either...not good for their feet to be on them all the time.

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Tue May 22, 2007 5:29 pm

Sand perches and sandpaper perch covers are abrasive and can predispose a bird to develop bumblefoot. They aren't recommended. Concrete perches (less abrasive) may have their place if used as only one perch located down low in the cage, preferably near a feeding station. Birds can wipe their beak on this and help keep it conditioned, though it is usually unnecessary to provide this type of perch. Recommended perches are nontoxic variable-diameter perches which are neither too smooth nor too abrasive. Nails and beaks should not become overgrown in most species if the diet is adequate and balanced (a cuttle bone should always be available as well and may help birds to condition their beak); some species of finches do have rapidly growing nails, however, and these will need to be trimmed manually and is part of the maintenance expected when keeping finches.