I volunteer at a shelter and we have a CAG there who had his entire lower beak ripped off by a U2. I swear, if you couldn't see that he was missing his lower beak, you'd never know! He eats the exact same pelleted food mix as every other bird at the shelter. This incident happened several years before I started volunteering there, so I'm not sure how long the recovery process was for him, but there are no modifications to his cage, he uses his beak to climb and play just like any other parrot (and is a great talker and noise mimicker as well). He does have full use of his wings and is a very good flier, but I just wanted to chime in that there is definitely hope that your baby will lead a very normal life. It will just take some time for him to adjust.
On a personal note, my 'tiel had her bottom beak broken by my Meyer's (I will never forgive myself for that
) and it did take several months for her get used to her broken beak. The entire beak is still there and continues to grow, but it never reattached to the skin, so it's loose on one side. For a month or so, all I could get her to eat was scrambled eggs. To this day, I moisten her food for her, but it's just a small modification.
Good luck with Ziggy! I hope he's feeling better soon!
On a personal note, my 'tiel had her bottom beak broken by my Meyer's (I will never forgive myself for that
) and it did take several months for her get used to her broken beak. The entire beak is still there and continues to grow, but it never reattached to the skin, so it's loose on one side. For a month or so, all I could get her to eat was scrambled eggs. To this day, I moisten her food for her, but it's just a small modification. Good luck with Ziggy! I hope he's feeling better soon!
