Read About Bird Care-Wellness

Categories in Pet Library
Featured Article

Beak Care for Your Bird

Beak care for your bird includes many aspects of observing and maintaining your bird’s beak. Beaks are critical not only for eating but also for climbing. Birds’ beaks are continually growing throughout their lives. While beak growth varies by species, many beaks may grow as much as one to three inches each year. Helping your bird maintain a healthy beak is an important part of keeping him in optimal overall health. An important part of beak care for your bird is simply checking your bird’s beak each day for any discoloration, cracking or peeling, and overgrowth. Although it is more common for the upper beak to overgrow the lower beak, overgrowth can happen in either direction. A variety of factors can cause overgrowth, including poor nutrition, viruses or infections, or trauma. Overgrowth can sometimes be the result of a developmental abnormality. Early detection of overgrowth is important, to have your bird evaluated to determine the cause and best course of action. If you begin to suspect overgrowth, it may be helpful to keep written notes about the appearance of the your bird’s beak, since the daily changes may be very gradual. In the wild, birds are exposed to rocks, rough perches, and other environmental factors that keep their beaks worn properly through natural abrasion. In captivity, beak care for your bird means some birds will need to have their beaks’ trimmed periodically. Beak trimming is not something most bird owners should attempt on their own; it is best left to experienced veterinary professionals. Although the beak itself does not have any feeling (in this respect, consider it similar to a long fingernail), trimming your bird’s beak too much can cause pain and even bleeding. An over-trimmed beak can make it difficult for the bird to eat, and a cut may leave the bird vulnerable to infection. This is one part of beak care for your bird that you should let a professional handle. To help your bird maintain good beak health, provide him with mineral blocks, cuttlebones, wood toys, and other natural ways to wear down his beak appropriately. A variety of different perch textures should be provided as well. For larger birds, in particular, it is important to ensure the cage bars can withstand the strength of the bird’s beak. Large birds such as parrots like to climb on the bars of their cages. If the bars are not strong enough, she can break through them, possibly injuringher beak in the process.

Articles
Previous Previous
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3