Re: Beak injury
Posted by Alison on 7/08/08

On 7/07/08, Jen wrote:
> Today, my female Fischer lovebird landed on my very cage-
> aggressive African Grey's cage. The grey immediately
> latched onto the lovebird's lower mandible and snipped off
> a good portion of it. There was no bleeding, but now she
> is unable to close her beak enough to break open any
> seeds. She does eat pellets, but she usually pulverized
> them first. If I take her into my vet, will they be able
> to do anything? She is otherwise acting her normal self.
> I did pulverize some pellets for her. Do you think she
> will be able to eat? Should I wet down the crushed pellets
> for her to try to eat? Any advice would be appreciated!
>
> Jen
_____________________________________
Hi Jen,
Keep crushing the birds food for her until she recovers
enough to do it herself. Do not wet the food down, as this
will cause it to mold and spoil. I have a Quaker with no
bottom beak except for a very tiny chip on one side. I had
to crush all her food for her for many months. She has
learned to open seed again and crush her own pellets, but I
have to keep her top beak trimmed for her because she cannot
grind it herself. Keep an eye on your birds top beak to make
sure it doesn't overgrow. She is likely in pain and will not
be able to break her own food for a while. You can get pain
meds for her from your avian vet. I've had my beakless
Quaker for about 6 years now, since she was dumped off by her
previous owner (the one who also owned the Macaw that tore
off Angels beak and half her face). A bird can adjust to the
beak injury, but it will need some help from you. Good
luck. -Alison-

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Beak injury, 7/07/08, by Jen.
• Re: Beak injury, 7/08/08, by Alison.
• Re: Beak injury, 7/19/08, by Jen.