Macaw Beak

Sarah-Jane

Sarah-Jane

Alice in Parrotland
Regular Member
Hello you lovely lot,

Need your help please.

My big boy Milo , has chipped his bottom beak.
This is now the third time he has done it :rolleyes:
The first time was in August and I obviously panicked massively, took him to an avian vet within an hour. They gave him a wiff of gas and smoothed it all out good as new. The vet said that the structure of his beak is very strong.
She did full blood tests and they all came back fine. She did say his protein is slightly low, but she said that could be Normal for him and didn’t seem too bothered.
Then, in October, he did it again. So back we went. He had a hairline ‘crack’ which I was concerned about. Saw a different avian vet. She said exactly the same as the first. His beak is very strong and everything about him is good condition. Another wiff of gas and she smoothed it over. He was a bit sick on the ride home.
I thought maybe he had done it on a toy as I bought him a new puzzle thing which was metal so I took that out.
Yesterday, he’s done it a third time? I just don’t know how or why he’s doing it? He has a good diet etc and all the avian vets I’ve spoken to say he’s healthy and his beak is strong. I emailed my vet photos and she doesn’t seem bothered. It’s always the same bit as well.
Does anyone have any ideas? I don’t know whether to take him back a third time and put him through all that again ( my vet is an hour away) when potentially next week it could happen again. Do I just wait and see what it does and could it be that it may take for his whole beak to ‘regrow’ ( a year maybe?) before this stops.
I will add , it doesn’t bother him in any way. He is still playing, eating and everything normally!
I just know how clever you all are at thinking outside the box because it worries me and every 5 minutes I go to look at it. It’s driving me mad! :nut:4C186FB9-83DF-493D-9892-7D2C4F7EB291.jpeg
 
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Oh dear is it always in the same place it happens? You say the vet wasn't overly bothered. I can only guess it will be ok and eventually grow out. I am sure other will be along with their advice
. And don't keep looking at it! Hubby said if he's wood to chew on perhaps that will help sort it out. Can you take a photo front on instead of sideways please.
 
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Thank you for replying Di.
Yeah vet just said to keep an eye on it and if I have any concerns or it gets worse to contact them.
Yeah I didn’t know whether to encourage chewing or not. On one hand, it could even it out , but I don’t want it to break more . I’m such a worrier!D7A89406-0BCC-44D5-AA5B-6208A8E167AF.jpeg
 
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@Sarah-Jane I personally don't see this as much of a problem, I suspect that this is new growth that is not as strong, and wears down quickly. I have seen in smaller parakeets with over grown beaks have a very fine tip that snaps off regularly.

You could try something like the Loro Parque mineral block made by Versele-Laga, really hard wood or cuttlefish bone to keep the birds beak down and rounded to the stronger parts.
 
@DanAndMarley thank you so much for your reassurance, it’s really appreciated. I have both of these but had held off giving as I was worried I would cause more breakage. The vet said if I was worried to not give whole walnuts- so I have been breaking them for him but like I say he’s not bothered only me :risas3:
 
If protein is a little low wondering if you sprout? I totally get your worries and nervousness hun. I'm just the same with mine. I have the Loro Parque block for my pink ones as they like to chew bits off from time to time. I'd wait until I see some new growth as a precaution I think? If diet is good hun you should see some changes reasonably soon. Be useful to know how or what he is using to do this on though just for reference?

So just one thing left really isn't there??? Yes a proper pic of the lovely Milo :see_hearts:
 
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Because I'm obviously not playing with a full deck anymore I have just looked at the second picture. That looks like a crack running down the beak line. Is it?
If it is buy some vitamin E liquid capsules and open one rub it in the lower mandible. It may need acrylic bonding by a vet if it's a through and through. @Sarah-Jane
 
Hi, I can see why you're worried, but I think maybe the first chip weakened new growth as has been said, and whatever he's doing (they do all kinds of daft stuff, things that would break our teeth if we tried it! Like crack open java wood, pick up full metal foraging trays, squeeze the cage bars together, Bebe chews on her leg ring like it's a dummy.... etc...) The crack may have been underlying from the first one and its a weak point. Bebe used to have a 'fang' as she has a slightly wonky beak, but she does wear it down herself. Gary is rough and clumsy and has chipped his beak a few times. It all fixes itself in the long run. Gary even bit a hole in the top of Bebe's beak once, right through to the flesh. That was worrying and looked horrible, but our vet wasn't concerned. He saw the photos and said keep it clean and keep an eye on it. It healed really fast! Ultimately, if you're sure of his diet, have limited certain toys to supervision only and just keep an eye on it, I agree it should be fine. Maybe not give him nuts in shell for a bit? Although that won't stop him chewing other stuff lol. Already good advice given though. Keep us updated ;) I understand why you'd prefer not to put him through the vet visit again if they weren't concerned.
 
You lot are just so amazing! :besos:
@DizzyBlue yeah it is a crack, which was biggest concern too , and I raised this with the vet but they assured me it looks worse than it is and just kept saying it’s structurally really strong. But this is why I haven’t been giving nuts in the shell and limited toys etc for now. I didn’t know about the vitamin E capsules so will do that thank you!
@plumsmum i have tried sprouting on and off over the years,,, but it’s not something I’ve ever fully grasped. So in all honestly no I don’t. If you have any tips I would be grateful!

I’ve got to run to work, but I promise I will upload some recent pics of the gang when I’m home! :sparkle_heart:
 
Does Milo eat pellets? I’m thinking that might also be a good way to get more protein into him. I’ve just had a consultation with Pamela Clark and she has recommended getting my flock eating high potency Harrisons for 6 months to right any deficiencies. That’s in addition to sprouts, veggies, fruit, nuts (not too many) and cooked grains and legumes, and some seed. Apparently Harrisons and Roudybush are the only ones she recommends.

Unfortunately Imgur has deleted all my pics, so for an updated version of sprouting (pics included! 😁), please see here:
thinkparrot.com

How to Sprout for Your Parrots. A Step by Step Guide | ThinkParrot

Sprouted grains, seeds and legumes are a powerhouse of nutrients for your parrots. A step by step guide on sprouting.
thinkparrot.com thinkparrot.com
 
I do the same as Roz minus the seed and nuts for the pink ones as per AV. I looked at Roudybush when Plum was alive but still thought it was TOPs first or Harrison's for pellets. Roudybush did not have anything that was recommended with his Liver issues. Do have a go at Roz's instructions they work! Even now I can get fresh sprouts in a couple of days in a jar on the window sill. I am a sworn supporter of Grapefruit Seed Extract to help keep things un-funky though; belt and braces.

Harrison's do power treats which Milo may like?
 
Roz said:
Does Milo eat pellets? I’m thinking that might also be a good way to get more protein into him. I’ve just had a consultation with Pamela Clark and she has recommended getting my flock eating high potency Harrisons for 6 months to right any deficiencies. That’s in addition to sprouts, veggies, fruit, nuts (not too many) and cooked grains and legumes, and some seed. Apparently Harrisons and Roudybush are the only ones she recommends.

Unfortunately Imgur has deleted all my pics, so for an updated version of sprouting (pics included! 😁), please see here:
thinkparrot.com

How to Sprout for Your Parrots. A Step by Step Guide | ThinkParrot

Sprouted grains, seeds and legumes are a powerhouse of nutrients for your parrots. A step by step guide on sprouting.
thinkparrot.com thinkparrot.com
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Thank you so much! I’m going to try this!
Yeah- He does Harrison’s high potency but I struggle getting him to eat it as much as the greys as I’ve been giving a variety- he loves tropimix and tidy mix ( although I try and limited the seed). I’ve been mixing in the Harrison’s but maybe once I day I’ll make sure that’s all he has so he has no choice . I didn’t realise it can take 6 months but it make sense that his feathers has been better since he’s been on it!
 
plumsmum said:
I do the same as Roz minus the seed and nuts for the pink ones as per AV. I looked at Roudybush when Plum was alive but still thought it was TOPs first or Harrison's for pellets. Roudybush did not have anything that was recommended with his Liver issues. Do have a go at Roz's instructions they work! Even now I can get fresh sprouts in a couple of days in a jar on the window sill. I am a sworn supporter of Grapefruit Seed Extract to help keep things un-funky though; belt and braces.

Harrison's do power treats which Milo may like?
Click to expand...
Tidymix do a sprouting food- could I buy this or is it best to go a buy all the things individually?
I will have a look at the power treats! Thank you
 
Sarah-Jane said:
Tidymix do a sprouting food- could I buy this or is it best to go a buy all the things individually?
I will have a look at the power treats! Thank you
Click to expand...
I've not tried that hun and buy from wholefood suppliers, Realfoods sell a dedicated sprouting mix but I have been OK with supplies from the World Food aisles in supermarkets previously.
 
plumsmum said:
I do the same as Roz minus the seed and nuts for the pink ones as per AV. I looked at Roudybush when Plum was alive but still thought it was TOPs first or Harrison's for pellets. Roudybush did not have anything that was recommended with his Liver issues. Do have a go at Roz's instructions they work! Even now I can get fresh sprouts in a couple of days in a jar on the window sill. I am a sworn supporter of Grapefruit Seed Extract to help keep things un-funky though; belt and braces.

Harrison's do power treats which Milo may like?
Click to expand...
In what way do you use the grapefruit seed extract? I have it but only use it on myself as an alternative to antibiotics if something isn't healing
 
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