Cage climbing

[Peeker]

Tina who very much would love to be my mate uses the cage bars to rush to the floor of her cage nearly every time she sees me. I've noticed this year that she has had hairline cracks in her lower beak which I think are being caused by all the climbing of cage bars.

Last night I saw that she has split a tiny piece now from the lower beak. It looks like a five year old when they loose a bottom tooth except it's only about 1/16 inch wide.

I added a ladder to her cage last night in the hope that if she absolutely HAS to keep running to the floor she will choose the ladder. I'm crossing my fingers this will help so the beak can grow beyond the crack and she won't continue to have problems.

I'll be watching her today to see if she uses it. My other idea is to change cages with Ruby. Hers has larger bars and they are wider spacing between them. Does anyone have any other ideas I could try?

 

[AngelicaandBandit]

Could you show us a picture of her beak? It'll debate whether or not it is caused by the bars and if its something the vet should see

 

[Peeker]

I'm not at home right now, but I can try later. At this point I'm not overly concerned. It's small and not looking like it would break an entire side out or anything. However if she continues to climb like she is, she could possibly break more out since it's now a weakened spot.

 

[AngelicaandBandit]

If the bars is the case then I suppose switching cages might work providing Ruby doesnt mind... Some birds have what people think are 'cracks' but are just beak growth. As long as the beaks not bleeding its may not be anything serious

 

[Peeker]

It would probably do Ruby some good too, since she's been laying eggs this Spring. Maybe it'll throw her out of breeding mode.

It's not bleeding or anything. I was never concerned about it being an issue. It's more of an issue to stop her from damaging it further. There have been hairline cracks for sure because when she preens I have seen a tiny fluff trapped there like a bit of dental floss.

I just took some pics and now I find she has broken a bit off.

Here are photos so you can see what I mean. Don't mind my ugly foot. I was using it to get her to look up and show her lower beak! From the side you can see how from the crack the one side has been worn down lower. It doesn't look terribly low to me. Does it to you?

 

[Jtbirds]

IMO its just wear and tear from being a bird... She may need to learn to groom it smoothly that may be the issue or she may need you to do that... I'm sure rubbing up and down on the cage bars is a part of it but there beaks do chip to allow New to grow and form so it's not a big worryments, and she hasn't cracked it, this beak looks normal to me just is that the bird isn't really taking care of her own grooming needs by rubbing it and do on, I have some that rub and there beaks look great and then others that don't rub on natural wood and pumice and they have a cracked look that's must smooth off.

 

[Peeker]

IMO its just wear and tear from being a bird... She may need to learn to groom it smoothly that may be the issue or she may need you to do that... I'm sure rubbing up and down on the cage bars is a part of it but there beaks do chip to allow New to grow and form so it's not a big worryments, and she hasn't cracked it, this beak looks normal to me just is that the bird isn't really taking care of her own grooming needs by rubbing it and do on, I have some that rub and there beaks look great and then others that don't rub on natural wood and pumice and they have a cracked look that's must smooth off.

Thanks JT. I've not had her breaking out chips like this before and ideally wish I could get her to stop racing up and down the sides of the cage. So far she is avoiding using the ladder unless I place her on it. :20: I used my dremel to even up the lower beak edge. It's not perfect, but hopefully she will grind it tonight and even it up some.

 

[lpolliard]

I had this problem on Chico's upper mandible. It would get thin and flake off chunks from the edge. I solved it by using the Dremel to grind down the thin spots a little. After a few times it started to grow in thicker. Problem solved. I am wondering if application of a little mineral oil would also help? Making the beak a little more supple so it won't flake.

 

[Peeker]

I had this problem on Chico's upper mandible. It would get thin and flake off chunks from the edge. I solved it by using the Dremel to grind down the thin spots a little. After a few times it started to grow in thicker. Problem solved. I am wondering if application of a little mineral oil would also help? Making the beak a little more supple so it won't flake.

Good reminder. I used a dremel on her beak to smooth out the lower edge a bit, but I have almond oil to apply and often forget to do it.