Beak trim questions

[Xoetix]

Probably a pretty basic question, but how often do cockatoos need a beak trim?

I don't think Isadora is over grown at all, and she's got loads of wood to chew through constantly (I don't know if that makes a difference), but I'm just curious is there's an average frequency people usually do?

What's considered overgrown? Is it only when they can't shut their beaks properly? When it affects their eating habits?

Also how do people have a cockatoo with a perfectly shiny black beak? She preens herself and she gets right back to being ashy.

Here's what she looks like right now

 

[Toy]

Her beak looks fine. Ashy beaks are pretty much the norm. Overgrown would be upper long & curving in too far, making it hard for bird to eat. Lower also long & not able to close beak. U2's often have 2 points on lower beak. They will wear them off at times.

 

[Xoetix]

I didn't figure she was overgrown currently, she looks pretty on par with photos I see of other's cockatoos. Is there a general time line of how often people get a beak trim? Or is it dependant on the bird?

 

[April]

I didn't figure she was overgrown currently, she looks pretty on par with photos I see of other's cockatoos. Is there a general time line of how often people get a beak trim? Or is it dependant on the bird?

It depends on the bird. I think @Mizzely has to get Ripley done every few months when he hasn't been chewing enough wood. But I know some members have had to do it up to every 2 months in really bad cases.

 

[Shezbug]

I have only ever heard of either unwell birds or those with abnormalities needing regular beak trims- healthy birds who are given things to chew will generally keep their beaks pretty worn down.

 

[Mizzely]

Ripley's usually needs done at least once every spring when he gets hormonal and goes on a shedding binge. If he didn't chew wood it would be every 3-4 months I bet. I've only ever had birds with health or beak issues need beak trims

 

[Xoetix]

Her previous owners said they got her beak trimmed when she got her wings clipped, but it never occurred to me to ask if that was a regular thing. But she didn't have a lot of toys in the cage when she was there, so maybe that's why she needed it?

 

[April]

Her previous owners said they got her beak trimmed when she got her wings clipped, but it never occurred to me to ask if that was a regular thing. But she didn't have a lot of toys in the cage when she was there, so maybe that's why she needed it?

A lot of folks just think that's what you're supposed to do when they get their nails or wings trimmed. We've had to tell several folks that it's not necessary or needed at this time and it suprises them since they just assume it needs to be done.

But in general the more they chew proper hard wood the less chance that a beak trim is necessary is most non medical cases.

 

[BrianB]

SHe's a cutie and her beak looks fine.

 

[Xoetix]

A lot of folks just think that's what you're supposed to do when they get their nails or wings trimmed. We've had to tell several folks that it's not necessary or needed at this time and it suprises them since they just assume it needs to be done.

But in general the more they chew proper hard wood the less chance that a beak trim is necessary is most non medical cases.

That's the way it was in my clinic mostly, but there were a few clients who insisted on regular beak trims - Maybe it's an old school thought process, from what I remember seeing it was always the older clients who regularly asked for it.

Good to know though, it's been one of those things I keep thinking about but couldn't see a reason why she'd need it done.

 

[Mizzely]

I've been offered a lot of cosmetic "trims" for other birds. Basically just makes them look nice but usually doesn't really have a benefit for the bird!

 

[Domothebudgie]

When gonzo(slender bill) was young, he would need a beak trim every 3-4 months. If he didn’t, then the tip would end up snapping/splitting. Now that he’s older, he seems to chew on wood more. And I haven’t really needed to get him a beak trim for the past few years. He’s also gotten it polished before, but that’s mostly just for looks.

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

I agree with pretty much everything already said here. I have noticed certain speices have naturally longer beaks than others. Like @Domothebudgie 's Gonzo. Like @Mizzely said generally it's a health problem or a anomaly with the beak, like scissors beak, that it needs a trim. My current vet will offer it as part of an exam. While last vet would mainly do it for medical reasons.

Interestingly I found it helpful with Zane. Because he was self mutilator when his beak when dull and rounded he couldn't harm himself as much.

 

[SumitaSinh]

When gonzo(slender bill) was young, he would need a beak trim every 3-4 months. If he didn’t, then the tip would end up snapping/splitting. Now that he’s older, he seems to chew on wood more. And I haven’t really needed to get him a beak trim for the past few years. He’s also gotten it polished before, but that’s mostly just for looks.

View attachment 427089

He's so beautiful!

 

[Domothebudgie]

He's so beautiful!

Thank you!

 

[Tyrion]

I have only had to get beak trims every few yrs as my birds are always chewing

 

[sunnysmom]

I have never had any of my birds' beaks trimmed. Typically, it's not needed for a healthy bird. I have had the sides of Elvis's beak buffed twice - not for cosmetic reasons- but because the sides were really rough and things were catching on it.

 

[sunnysmom]

When gonzo(slender bill) was young, he would need a beak trim every 3-4 months. If he didn’t, then the tip would end up snapping/splitting. Now that he’s older, he seems to chew on wood more. And I haven’t really needed to get him a beak trim for the past few years. He’s also gotten it polished before, but that’s mostly just for looks.

View attachment 427089

Love him!

 

[melissasparrots]

Neither of my cockatoo's has needed their beak trimmed. I give a lot of .25-.5 inch wood pieces that they can chew. Cockatoos just don't seem like the type of bird that will overgrow their beak very often unless there is a serious lack of toys or a liver or other health problem. A healthy cockatoo has an ashy beak. In fact, a shiny beak on a cockatoo used to be considered a symptom of beak and feather disease. If you want to get a sense of what a healthy beak length is, google some picture of wild cockatoos. In most cases, their beak is maintained properly.