Beak damage, is this anything to worry about?

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Mable as described in other posts does not wish to step up or have much interaction with people so she often flies off the cage top or play gym straight into a wall if we even attempt or ask.

She hit pretty hard last week and a section of outer layer of her beak actually chipped off. I’ve heard that this can happen and isn’t a huge deal but now shes got another crack above the first area that chipped off and Im probably paranoid but wonderer if anyone thought this should require vet attention.

Please check out the pics and let me know your thoughts.

 

[JjEjFjF]

From what i can tell from the pictures it looks like normal shedding. Beaks grow constantly and shed of in layers.
Like this for example.

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Yes I’ve seen similar wear in my IRN beak but I had just never seen this occur after bumping into something really hard so I wasn’t sure. I have now padded many walls in the bird room to allow her a softer impact when she does this.

 

[JjEjFjF]

Hopefully its just shedding and not a crack.

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Shes going in to the vet this weekend anyhow for nail trimming check up so I’ll have them take a closer look. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t anything that needed urgent or immediate attention.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Mable as described in other posts does not wish to step up or have much interaction with people so she often flies off the cage top or play gym straight into a wall if we even attempt or ask.

She hit pretty hard last week and a section of outer layer of her beak actually chipped off. I’ve heard that this can happen and isn’t a huge deal but now shes got another crack above the first area that chipped off and Im probably paranoid but wonderer if anyone thought this should require vet attention.

Please check out the pics and let me know your thoughts.

If she cracked her beak flying into a wall, I'm surprised she didn't knock herself out! The current thread about plastics says how strong a Grey's beak is. If they can chip plexiglass or Lexan with their beak, wouldn't they get a head injury or broken neck hitting the wall hard enough to crack said beak?

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

If she cracked her beak flying into a wall, I'm surprised she didn't knock herself out! The current thread about plastics says how strong a Grey's beak is. If they can chip plexiglass or Lexan with their beak, wouldn't they get a head injury or broken neck hitting the wall hard enough to crack said beak?

I would agree. I wasn’t aware until recently that they could chip their beaks flying into stuff. I also watch this bird absolutely shred wooden toys all day, everyday. The floor under the cage by the end of the day appears as if Im housing a small wood chipper inside.

 

[TiredOldMan]

My U2 broke a corner off his lower mandible opening an almond. Was all set to see the vet the next day. We all woke up the next morning and he had apparently reshaped his beak so the two lower points were now even if a little shorter. How he managed that I have no idea. Didn't bother with the vet and all was well.

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Appreciate the input everyone. My mind is at ease. If anyone wants a quick laugh I uploaded a video in the gallery the other day of Mable listening to her favorite song and singing along!

 

[SailBoat]

This is something to place deep into your mind for future comparisons! The really concerning breaks occur on one side, higher-up the bill and commonly happens when the Parrot is working on a metal rod surface and the torc involved cracks the bill from the side upwards to the crown. or it cuts a hole into the side of the bill. Worst case is the lost of the upper or lower bill.

Generally, the good news is that modern dentistry allows our Avian Vets to use like material for our teeth on our Parrots bill. Seeing your Vet ASAP is very important in those cases.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I imagine it must be very painful for a parrot to fracture its beak. Beaks are so sensitive! Thank God for modern dentistry, but I just had 18 crowns replaced in one week! He saved all my teeth, but it was the most emotionally, physically and financially traumatic experience I've ever had, and I had a hip replacement! I hope they give the parrot better anesthesia than I had for my teeth.

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Well hopefully jist shedding an outer layer vs a crack. The surface below is normal color and appears fine. We are going to see the vet anyhow for check up and nail trim so Im gonna ask them to have a look

 

[JjEjFjF]

Well hopefully jist shedding an outer layer vs a crack. The surface below is normal color and appears fine. We are going to see the vet anyhow for check up and nail trim so Im gonna ask them to have a look

Please update after your vet appointment.

 

[texsize]

I have noticed that Bella my CAG sometimes has……….
Unusual beak issues.
At first I was worried but not so much anymore.

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Please update after your vet appointment.

Vet says its normal but that her flying into the wall did likely cause such a piece to come off. Its just outer layer no actual crack in the beak and the beaks looks healthy. This was partially my paranoia and being a newer bird dad.
In other news with some changes to my training process Mable is heading in a good direction. She will now come to me from anywhere on the play gym or inside the cage when a treat is offered. I started using small safflower seeds cause I noticed if I hold a few at once she will linger by my hand longer. This has resulted in her being more comfortable with my hands in general.
She won’t step up yet but now she no longer backs away or climbs back in the cage if I ask. She just kind gives me this look like shes figuring out how she wants to go about it and volunteers to do one of her other tricks without me asking lol.
She now twice has climbed off the cage entirely to the floor and comes and stands next to my chair and yells for treats. Once on the floor she will allow me to have her step up and I then put her back on a favorite perch. It feels great to see progress with again.

 

[JjEjFjF]

Thank goodness her beak wasn’t cracked. Congratulations on the training progress .
Thanks for the update.
Shes a beauty.

 

[rheashard2]

Glad your friend is doing well. Beaks always need regular monitoring. The potential with falls is scary obvious. Less so but no less scary is chewing on no-no's, heavy plastic, metal and more. I wish a computer literate individual would create an algorithm on why safe, colorful and cumulative expensive toys are ignored for food dishes, wing nuts etc.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Just look at a "wing nut"- they're perfectly designed for parrot beaks to play with, and they're even named after parrots! A smart parrot may have even invented them! If you give a parrot a wing nut you can't expect him to ignore it- same with food dishes. Their favorite things go in them so of course they will be drawn to them!

I want to know why a parrot can't sit on a shoulder without wanting to bite an ear! It's like the ear is asking for it by dangling its floppy, fleshy self at beak level! Add a shiny sparking earring and it's over- Instant parrot toy!

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

Thankfully I don’t have much issue with either of the girls chewing no no items at least not yet. Azalea (IRN) pecks the hardware on her cages top perch like it owes her money tho…

 

[DonnaBudgie]

My male budgies talk to posts. Wooden posts, metal posts, it doesn't matter. They have lots of other budgies to chatter to but they chose to talk to posts. Go figure.