cracked beak!

kiwination

New member
Nov 22, 2014
39
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California
hello all, so my mini macaw has some cracks on her beak. ill post a picture, but this isnt the first time this has happen before. it also cracked like this but closer to the back of her lower mandible on both sides and i took her to the groomer and he said it should be ok, but it happened again in the front lower mandible this time and i was just wondering if i should give her calcium/vitamins supplements, or if i should take her to a vet? She is a noble macaw and less than a year old. is this a thing that happens in baby macs? should i only let her play with softer toys till shes older? her toys usually consist of thin pieces of soft wood, coconut shells,preening toys, some plastic balls, a rubber ball, cork wood, and some other types of wood that is hard on the outside and very spongey in the inside.

her beak usually and slowy dulls it down but its happened 2 twice already and not that long apart from each other. im scared shes gonna run out of beak to heal lol
 

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Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
As long as it's not cracked through to the point where it impairs her ability to eat, or she isn't bleeding or in pain, I wouldn't worry about minor cracks and chips. Those happen all the time, especially with young birds who are still learning their limitations.

Vitamin/calcium supplements shouldn't be necessary if you are feeding this bird properly.
 
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kiwination

New member
Nov 22, 2014
39
0
California
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As long as it's not cracked through to the point where it impairs her ability to eat, or she isn't bleeding or in pain, I wouldn't worry about minor cracks and chips. Those happen all the time, especially with young birds who are still learning their limitations.

Vitamin/calcium supplements shouldn't be necessary if you are feeding this bird properly.

okay phew i had a feeling it was just because she is young. it definitely doesnt seem to bother her at all. she still eats very well adn plays with toys. another question is should i go to the groomer if she does this? or leave it be?
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
It depends on how bad it is. This really doesn't look all that bad, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Generally speaking, groomers deal with beaks more when you have something like my Sallybird (slight scissors beak), or when the beak is over grown.

Beaks grow like fingernails, and sometimes break like fingernails. The big thing is that there is a blood supply. If it's cracked to the point where he's bleeding from the beak, it's vet time.
 

Aquila

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Nov 19, 2012
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Philadelphia
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Sydney - Blue Front Amazon
Gonzo - Congo African Grey
Willow - Cockatiel
RIP:
Snowy, Ivy, Kiwi, Ghost - Parakeets
Berry - Cinnamon GCC
Just by looking, at least at the top it looks like she still has her "baby beak" which might have been a bit softer. At her age it'll grow pretty fast so I wouldn't really worry unless it gets worse. She's growing now and maturing so it's normal to have a little inconsistencies in beaks and feathers while she's learning and exploring. :)
 

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