Caique's beak

[greytness]

I have a rehomed BHC, approximately 8 years old. We've had him for a year and have found that we have to trim his beak at least every 3-4 months. He came to us on an all seed diet, and we haven't been able to transition him onto pellets or fresh veggies. Each are available to him daily, but the only fresh item he'll eat is, unfortunately, a grape. I even make fresh birdie bread for my flock that has Harrison's pellets as its 'flour' base. Still he won't even touch those. He's on a high quality seed diet with dried fruits and veggies. He'll reconstitute some of the dried fruit.

Do caique's beaks usually grow at a fast pace? He's not a wood chipper, either. Tried many varieties of toys he could destroy.

 

[Irishj9]

None of my gang ( 11) grow beaks that fast. But maybe they are using wood and stone perches better.

How long is his beak? A pic would help a lot

Irishj9's albums - Imgur

 

[greytness]

I'll see if I can photograph it today. He's getting his beak trimmed tomorrow.

 

[greytness]

This is an image of Cowboy's beak. It was trimmed 3.5 months ago, and has already grown this much.

 

[Irishj9]

OK definitely too long.

The usual rule is that the upper mandible should not curve down lower than the lowest point of the lower mandible ( where it joins the body)

This bird is close to that rule, but the long slender pointed upper mandible is exaggerated, yes.

Bear in mind that these birds are nectar eaters, and a somewhat pointed upper mandible is acceptable.

But this one is too long.

The good news is the lack of stress bars on the feathers indicates the beak issue is not diet related. Cowboy looks great, feathers excellent. clear eye, good posture.

 

[greytness]

I appreciate your feedback, Irishj9. I had some concerns that he could have some dietary issues that are contributing to his excellerated beak growth. Wish he'd transition onto a pelleted/fresh fruit and veggie diet. He's definitely an extremely picker eater!

 

[Irishj9]

I appreciate your feedback, Irishj9. I had some concerns that he could have some dietary issues that are contributing to his excellerated beak growth. Wish he'd transition onto a pelleted/fresh fruit and veggie diet. He's definitely an extremely picker eater!

Yes let's look at that. My 11 would eat the lamb of God if he got close enough to the cage. You need to transition him to a better diet.

Maybe a sweeter pellet? Mine will eat a fruity pellet in preference to a plain one. And food is also a toy. Some wet spinach leaves?

 

[greytness]

I'll look into a sweeter pellet. I've always given Harrison's to my birds, preferring an undyed, unsweetened product over the others.

Isn't spinach a no no? I thought it can compromise their body's calcium channel uptake, resulting in the greater possibility of them becoming calcium deficient.

 

[Irishj9]

I'll look into a sweeter pellet. I've always given Harrison's to my birds, preferring an undyed, unsweetened product over the others.

Isn't spinach a no no? I thought it can compromise their body's calcium channel uptake, resulting in the greater possibility of them becoming calcium deficient.

Havent heard that. My 25 lovebirds SCARF spinach several times a week. They descend on it like locusts. Loads of babies. Not one eggbound hen.

But I will research it further

 

[Brittany741]

The WBC foster we just adopted out had the same issue and it didn't improve with a proper diet (high quality pellet plus fresh veggies with some fruit.)

I wish I knew why because beak trims were something he completely hated. He also had zero interest in all toys except one, so I bought 4 of them and changed them out as soon as they were toast. They just weren't enough to keep his beak nice and pretty.