Beak issues

[Flyte]

Hi all.
My yellow nape's beak had grown quite a bit too long over the past year. It was quite a bit longer than it is now in the picture. I've mentioned before that this year has been full of surgery for me and there was nothing I could really do about it.
I noticed and gave him a new cement perch and more wooden chew toys but I think he was depressed over my absence and kind of sat around watching TV all day.
Beaks are not something I like to mess with but the closest avian vet is about 3 hours away and it would be impossible to make that trip every few weeks for a beak trim. I would rather do it myself than have a 'normal' vet attempt it and I have styptic powder on hand just in case.
I have been slowly filing it down, just a small amount every 2 weeks or so like one would with an overgrown nail. I have been very careful because his beak also seems to peel easily.
I think this is mostly a nutritional deficiency as they were all on a seed diet for a long time. (with fruits/veggies other stuff) but while I was sick and unable to care for them they definatly didn't get the same variety as they did when I was in charge of the food.
They are being weaned onto Harrison's pellets now and Rocky was the easiest to convert. He's already eating just the pellets (he's definatly eating it, empty dish and full crop!)
I am just concerned because his beak seems to have chipped a bit, as you can see in his picture. I hadn't trimmed his beak in awhile and I am not going to touch it anymore, at this point I think he should be able to get it back to where it's supposed to be on his own. He is much more active now that I'm around. Of course.. more surgery to come. I just hope I have them all on the pellets by then!
I'm glad I took this picture before breakfast because if you guys had seen his beak after he enjoyed his yummy oatmeal, carrot, apple, honey gushy meal, you'd have thought he had some sort of horrible parasite infestation!

Do you guys agree that the brittleness is probably just a vitamin/mineral deficiency? The other birds have similar peeling problems, the macaw more so than the Grey. I assume they will all be a lot healthier as they continue to eat the better pellets. I feel so bad/guilty, but at least I'm getting them on the road to a better diet, and I honestly couldn't do anything about it. It was a long time before I could even climb the stairs to visit them!
Thanks!

 

[Peta]

Sarah, it looks like it could be, keep trying the pellets and lots of fruit and veg, You've had so much to cope with just lately and I think you are doing a wonderful job. Its hard to really see on the picture, but it could also be where the beak is growing. If you really are worried give the vet a ring and if they has a web site, you could maybe email the picture to them. I don't know if that is an option, but I know I do that with my vet. Then if he thinks he should see them he lets me know.

 

[NicoleN]

Also Sarah, make sure you keep it up with the wooden toys and the mineral perches. I think it helps a lot. Sisqo's beak was overgrown a little, and when I started with the wood and the perches, it helped a lot.

I agree with you that the flaking of the beak is probably a vitamin deficiency. One of the most common causes is Vitamin A deficiency, so try giving some more broccoli, carrot, mango, and dark leafy greens.

My DYH has a horn colored beak, and I've been told that they are more prone to flaking than the darker colored beaks. My BF, well...it's kind of impossible to tell if his beak is flaking, so I'm afraid I wouldn't be a good source of finding out what is 'normal' for flaking beaks, although I have been told that some flaking is normal, I just don't know how much.

 

[Tracy842]

Here is a picture of Popsicle who has her beak flaking because of Vitamin A deficincy.

The whole beak actually flakes very thin layers off.

Here is a picture of Pepsi who's beak is a bit flaky but she doesn't have Vitamin A deficincy.

Her beak is flaky because of a diet of only sunflower seeds and no beak trimming for 29 years.

Have you tried any rawhide bones for your fids to chew on. I find this is good as well as wood of course. In the diet pellets are great as well as Palm nuts or red palm oil I've found makes a difference. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Peta]

Oh yeah the good old rawhide bones, I have a couple of those for Bucc and Kito, I've stuck them inbetween the bars of the cage. They love em.

 

[meghanxx4]

You can also rub vitamin E oil on their beak. It's supposed to help it from getting all flaky, also makes their beak all shiny.

 

[Flyte]

Hmm all the beaks in my house look similar to that picture of Popsicle. Well. I have been sneaking in greens and similar things to the new squishy oatmeal food I have been giving them every day. I also sometimes cook it up like a pancake. Otherwise they will not touch the veggies/raw stuff thats good for them.
I am really going into overhaul mode with this. No longer going to give them any of that pre-packaged human food they sometimes got. I'm trying to stay away from it as well and just make my own stuff to freeze.
I also want to start doing some sprouting seeds for them.. I figure if I grind it up fine and mix it in with the mush they won't even know about it. (they don't like it by itself at all) Not sure exactly of the best way to sprout the seeds but I will look in/post in the recipe section for that to keep things neat.

I will get some palm nut oil. I was really hoping to get the actual palm nuts but this will have to do. any particular brand thats best?
I would like to get some more mineral/cement perches but I'm just stuck with no money atm. I have been reading about folks making their own stuff like that but I then also read the stuff they used is potentially harmful and I will not use anything that may hurt my children.
About the rawhide, do your birds eat it or just gnaw? I will ask my boyfriend if he can order some in bulk for me. I used to always buy them the little rawhide shoes with little rawhide shoe laces.. they loved to play with them...
I have, on occasion, given them beef jerky. they see to REALLY like it. I was thinking of trying to make my own and spice it up a bit for them, when I'm feeling better. I think that would be a great treat for my dogs & cats as well, minus the spice Think the pre-packaged stuff is ok for the birds, for now? Just an occasional treat. I am trying to use just the more natural ones without all that junk in it.
Ok thanks so much guys. Trying to get my babies as healthy as can be here while tricking them into thinking they are eating 100% junk food 24/7.

 

[Tracy842]

Well if they look like Popsicles I'm willing to bet Vitamin A deficincy. Here is a list of fruits and veggies high in vitamin A for you to try.

Sweet Potato
Carrot
Cantaloupe
Mustard Greens
Spinach
Dried Apricots
Apricots
Collards
Mango
Watermelon

These are in order from best on. As for Palm Oil I use AVI X Sunshine Factor which is made by Harrison's I believe so you know it has to be good. Here's what they say are the benefits on their website.

SUNSHINE FACTOR
A Natural Food Source

This organic Brazilian red palm fruit oil complements all diets (Harrison’s Bird Foods or seeds) except Power Treats and can be used as a dietary supplement for all birds. Do not use in conjunction with Booster.

BENEFITS
• Beneficial for all birds with dry flaky skin and balding feet, especially older birds
• Enhances sheen and color in feathers
• Has a high antioxidant (vitamin E) and carotenoid content (precursor to vitamin A)
• Contains a good balance of essential fatty acids,especially omega 3 and omega 6
• Consists of 100% organic Brazilian dende (red palm fruit) oil

As for rawhide, my guys just seem to like to gnaw on it. It makes a great cheap toy!!!

Getting rid of vitamin A deficincy is a very long process but your now on the right track to helping your flock out!!!

 

[Minzer84]

I was worried about Iggy and vitamin A as well, as I said in a post way back when, and now there is always sweet potato in his food, and I also read that red peppers (not necessarily the hot kind) are high in Vit A so I chop those up into his food as well, he seems to enjoy them! Just thought I would add on.

 

[TexDot33]

Minzer, is Iggy still with you?

 

[Minzer84]

Yes, the lady called last night and told me not to worry, she was still working on a cage...she didn't feel that the extra she has is roomy enough compared to what he's used to. She has gotten rid of her oak kitchen table to make room for him too! She seems really excited, and I really think her birds will make a difference in him...I start school on the 28th, and she tells me she'll definitely be ready before then.

Meanwhile, things have gone very downhill here, I come home, he starts a screaming fit immediately, he goes in his cage for the night. He wouldn't even touch his dinner tonight. It's very frustrating, because I want things to be good until he leaves, but I think he's getting more and more frustrated with me as well...I just look forward to him having a better home soon.

 

[TexDot33]

I am very sorry to hear that ... I bet he can sense that something is about to happen, and he doesn't know what is going on ... he's probably stressed out ...

 

[Peta]

Minzer I'm so sorry that things have gone downhill for both you and Iggy.

Kito has a normal dog rawhide shoe in his cage and the rawhide bones inbetween the bars of the cage, (they both have the bone) they will gnaw it, bite it, use it as a perch sometimes they eat it but more often than not they just spit it out. They one thing they do have with this is have so much fun with it. And it lasts such a long time.

 

[Flyte]

Thanks guys.. Thanks especially for the list!
Going to start adding sweet potato to the oatmeal mush. They've always loved sweet potatoes.
I usually have quite a few of those other items in the fridge for my evil iguana. I think they might actually enjoy the spicy flavor of the mustard greens! I'll try adding one of those item inconspicuously and see what happens

 

[Peta]

I wish Bucc would eat sweet potatoes but no matter how I do them he will not touch them. I keep trying though. One day maybe. Kito on the other hand loves em.

 

[Keupi]

I'm sorry to hear about Iggy and hope all goes well.

Am posting a lot, I guess, as a newcomer here (but not to Fids), but hope this helps.

My vet is very into nutrition and Vit A deficiency is very common in birds. The list provided of foods to correct is great. Your vet may also recommend a supplement that can be added to food/treats.

The beak issues are scary, but your vet recommends differently (see your vet) or unless it inhibits eating, let it go for now. Think of it as a cosmetic outcome of poor eating.

Now, use your fids like/dislikes of food to help it repair/regrow it's beak. Try offering the same foods with different textures (puree, chunk, diced, etc). It will take a lot of time, but think in term of 'adaptive' beak.

At the same time, offer your fid a number of beak grooming things in the house or on the gym. At the beginning, a softer tool may be more used.

Me personally, have often questioned beak length and am hesitant towards beak trims. It's like a monkey's tail, or a thumb, to me. Unless it's inhibiting eating, let the fid take care of it. At the same time, give your fid the substances to regrow, and the places to groom, with vet advice. Again, JMO, but I, as well as my vet, are very leery about messing with the beak. However, we also take beak health into serious consideration regarding fid health.

 

[Peta]

Me personally, have often questioned beak length and am hesitant towards beak trims. It's like a monkey's tail, or a thumb, to me. Unless it's inhibiting eating, let the fid take care of it. At the same time, give your fid the substances to regrow, and the places to groom, with vet advice. Again, JMO, but I, as well as my vet, are very leery about messing with the beak. However, we also take beak health into serious consideration regarding fid health.

Yeah, I've never had any of my fids beaks trimmed unless it was inhibiting their eating. they are pretty good at taking care of it themselfs.

 

[Redballoon]

I am not a bird expert, but before I had his beak trimmed, I would give him the chance to grind it down naturally with something to grind on. Nature has a way of making these things the shape they should be. If that failed, you could move on to more drastic measures knowing you have tried to save him the torment of of equivalent of a trip to the dentist.

 

[Tracy842]

I've only Pepsi's beak trimmed but when I got her it was very much overgrown and deformed. Thats what can happen when a bird has nothing in its cage but a perch and a couple of bowls.

 

[rockinseattle]

Vitamin deficiency can affect beak and feathers.

Some peeling is normal as their beaks continue to grow.

I would be careful about grinding a birds beak. Their beaks are very sensitive.
Also they need a pointy tip it helps them grab onto things.

Wood really helps to maintain beaks.

I may have missed it in this thread but have you or someone in your family taken this bird to a vet ?

I don't know your situation but I hope you get to feeling better
Good luck with your bird