Flaky Beak, How to Fix?

teil

New member
Jan 15, 2017
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Hi so I have a blue Quaker parrot. She's about 6 months old and is doing very well. The only issue I have is that she has a bit of a flakey beak an issue which I assume to be caused by a lack of calcium. She has a caladium bar and cuttlefish in her cage which she seems to chew on regularly but yet her beak still looks like that. Any idea on what foods I can inter grate in to her diet to possibly help the calcium issue. Here are some pictures
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There is also another issue though and that is that when we put her pellets into her food dish she goes around them and only seems to eat the seeds. Any points on how to get her to eat it? Thanks in advance.


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SilverSage

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Sep 14, 2013
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Columbus, GA
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Eclectus, CAG, BH Pionus, Maximilian’s Pionus, Quakers, Indian Ringnecks, Green Cheeked Conures, Black Capped Conures, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Budgies, Canaries, Diamond Doves, Zebra Finches, Society F
The flaky beak is normal. Parrots beaks never stop growing and sometimes it just flakes. Nothing to be worried about.

Feeding pellets and seeds in the same dish is almost always a waste of money. Feed pellets alone (assuming she already knows they are food) and feed seeds as treats.


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Tammie

New member
Aug 25, 2016
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My caique has a bit of a flaky beak as well recently, and the tip of his beak is a weapon! Extremely sharp and pointed. He has a calcium block but seldom uses it anymore, he has a lot of wooden toys to chew. I have found a local bird store that does beal trimming and shaping, is this advisable? I also have seen what looks as a lava rock in pet stores for them to use there beak on. Anyone ever try this? I don't want him to get stressed with a beak shaping/ trimming.
 

plumsmum2005

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Nov 18, 2015
5,330
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England, UK
Parrots
Lou, Ruby, and Sonu.
Fly free Plum, my gorgeous boy.
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Aquila

New member
Nov 19, 2012
1,225
1
Philadelphia
Parrots
Sydney - Blue Front Amazon
Gonzo - Congo African Grey
Willow - Cockatiel
RIP:
Snowy, Ivy, Kiwi, Ghost - Parakeets
Berry - Cinnamon GCC
This is my favorite thing for my birds because it really is indestructible, I've never seen it so much as chip.
Bird Beak Conditioners: Polly's Pet Products Coral Beak Buffer

Other than that, given her age, it's possible it's still some of the juvenile beak growing out, but some birds tend to wear the tip a lot more than others, so I wouldn't be concerned. I do also occasionally like an appropriately sized "pedi perch" or other rough textured perch that they can wipe their beak on, and lots of varied wooden toys.

As for supplements, proper nutrition is important, and lots of greens like spinach, and broccoli for calcium. If you're really concerned, Avi-Cal calcium supplement or anything similar can be dusted over fresh food.

You can also see if she likes a light beak scratch, and your fingernail is more than adequate to scratch off little bits of the outer layer. Some of my birds also like to rub against a nail file (only used for them) if I'm holding it. I like using it because it makes it easier when I have to do any grooming on them.
 

Tammie

New member
Aug 25, 2016
38
0
The flaky parts I probably can handle myself, however the tip of his beak has such a sharp point on it. It's insane crazy. It will definitely pierce your ear or nose, even hook your eye if not careful. He does have a cement perch used mainly for feet, but he wipes beak on it too. However, this is not helping the tip of his pointy beak at all. What kind of natural rough branch would one suggest?
 
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