Beak trimming

Since Buddy has joined our flock, he has an over grown beak that needs to be trimmed. I have no knowledge or experience with this. I bought and placed a perch in his cage that is edible and helps with maintaining his beak. He cracks me up, he's been going to town on that perch, but I've noticed he's "left handed" (like me!), so the left side of his beak is beautiful but the right side is very overgrown. Any suggestions to help him trim the overgrown side of his beak or do I need to take him to a vet? Either way I have concerns. Thanks!

Yes, if the beak is severely overgrown it would be a good idea to have a vet shape it up for him.

Also, if you see that the beak grows excessively, he "may" have underlying issues, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to have the vet run some tests.

I take Talli to the vet for his beak trimmings. I would be afraid to attempt it at home

I use a dremel to file down Charlie's beak and to keep it in shape. However, it's not something I'd recommend for someone to do at home! It's a two person job that I do alone! I'd rather have my a-vet do it, but it's more stressful on both me and Charlie if my a-vet does is, plus she can't trim as much down as I can. I can sit Charlie in my lap, his head and beak in one hand, dremel in the other. He doesn't like it, but it has to be done because his beak doesn't wear evenly due to an injury. At the vets he has to be toweled and held upside down which causes him to become stressed out, so only so much can be done at a time.


If Buddy's beak is bad enough that it requires trimming, take him to an a-vet! To give you an idea of what's required to trim their beak, take a look at this videos! (although minor beak abnormalities may be able to be trimmed using a nail filer)


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWM58eR2AYo"]Parrot Beak Trim by Dr. G. (African Grey Parrot) - YouTube[/ame]

This is my first beak issue, previously I had budgies and cockatiel. No problem with them. In Buddy's case we picked him up and his beak is very over grown. He and I have been bonding, he and my husband have not, even though Buddy says "Hello" repeatedly when he walks in the door, lol. I think Buddy needs to visit the vet for a trim. We are on day 20 together but this I agree needs a vets attention. Thanks so much.

OMG!!! I watched the video and Buddy's beak on the right side is so much worse than this. I tried to get pics to show but he's not cooperating. He's so photogenic, I don't know what he's fussing about, lol. I've never had this issue but it bothers me seeing his beak on the right side, and it looks great on his left side. I cancelled a vet appointment for him two weeks ago because we had just got him and I want him to be comfortable.

I know his previous owner had her son trim his beak the last time it was needed. He told me Buddy was mean. I said of course in that situation. Buddy took a chunk out of his finger during trimming. I do not want a repeat. The video showed excellent precision an less stress then I imagine Buddy has experienced in the past. Vet visit coming up.

You should consider some bloodwork as well while you are there! That way, if he has any health problems, you can at least get him onto the right track to eating healthier with the right supplements or meds required to help improve his health!

(as JerseyWendy said)

I too use a dremel. I would not recommend this to everyone. Prissy doesn't mind having it done and doesn't need to be toweled. If I were you I would find a good A-vet and let them trim his beak and run some tests. We started with an A-vet.