How to accommodate for a messed-up beak

[Hawk12237]

Does anyone have advice on how to accommodate Chirp's beak problems?

For anyone who needs some background on this, here you go: Beak issue | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum

His beak is brittle and has a split in it that goes all the way up into his mouth. He can only have soft foods because hard foods (like dry pellets) could harm it more. The vet also warned that there is a possibility of his beak breaking and also of necrosis if that does happen.

If anyone has experience with birds with beak problems, I'd be more than happy to hear what you have to say.

I had same issue with sparky, he had a terrible beak. Very badly neglected bird before I rescued and took him in.
he could only have soft foods. I trained him to spoon, and hand fed him several times a day.
I would take veggies, pellets, pumpkin seeds, soft veggie pasta put in blender and hit puree. It would be like soup. Warm it a little and spoon fed him. he was severely handicapped. Some will asked if his wings are clipped, yes, unfortunately he had to. He can't fly, he couldn't walk properly. And would get his wings caught... So had to trim them for his saftey....was a decision I came to lightly. I hate having to do that, but he had deformed wings from bad neglect from previous owner. Letting his wings out put him in danger of hurting himself. Was very sad, a bird no one wanted because he took a lot of care. But I took him in.

 

[finchly]

Today I got some plastic egg crate to make a false bottom, and a couple of shallow glass dishes for food and water. I also mixed up a spray bottle of F10 (1:500). I also looked and noticed in the small animal section of the pet store they have these little bendy bridge things, maybe those would be good for him in the bigger cage?

That sounds good! I do the bendy perches all over the place for Clint.

 

[Rain Bow]

Has the vet mentioned if the bleeding gets bad, (IF) there's a bad beak break if you can use this to hold Chirp over till you can rush him to them (vet) something like this?



Just a random thought is all... Bea, we got your back as best we can. I'll keep brainstorming dumb things & maybe as a group "we" can come up w/ something!

 

[taxidermynerd]

Yes, there's an herb she gave me called yunnan baiyao, it has coagulant properties. You basically use it the same way you would styptic powder. She says that when it happens, put it on a wet cotton ball and just pack it on there, then high-tail it to the vet.

 

[Rain Bow]

I just caught & re-read something that you asked about transporting him. How about a small Aquarium w/ a blanket or towel in the bottom... Get or make a wire fence or grate top. That way he's not using his beak to climb if something goes catastrophic & you do need to move fast.

My husband recommended it a long time ago if Buddy needed to be rushed to an ER & couldn't perch. The only other thing would be a cat carrier but an aquarium would be way cheaper.

 

[taxidermynerd]

I just caught & re-read something that you asked about transporting him. How about a small Aquarium w/ a blanket or towel in the bottom... Get or make a wire fence or grate top. That way he's not using his beak to climb if something goes catastrophic & you do need to move fast.

My husband recommended it a long time ago if Buddy needed to be rushed to an ER & couldn't perch. The only other thing would be a cat carrier but an aquarium would be way cheaper.

It's not a bad idea, but I would worry about fumbling, dropping the aquarium, suddenly having glass everywhere and a loose injured bird. I think maybe a critter carrier might be a better idea, since it's smooth-sided with a latching top (but still well-ventilated), yet light and easily portable. Maybe I'll do that- the "In case all hell breaks loose" carrier.

 

[taxidermynerd]

Here's the little man today. Despite how his beak looks, he is still very happy and active.

 

[Ankou]

Poor baby, that beak does look rough but he's in such good hands. I'm glad he is still happy and active.

Does he let you help preen him? He might need or want some help with his feathers in time, baths will help.

 

[taxidermynerd]

Poor baby, that beak does look rough but he's in such good hands. I'm glad he is still happy and active.

Does he let you help preen him? He might need or want some help with his feathers in time, baths will help.

Unfortunately not. He's such an angry little baby- he hates hands and hates baths. He won't bathe in running water or bowls, in the sink or shower, anything. He refuses to be clean lol.

The closest I've been able to get to giving him a bath is by putting him in a critter carrier and putting water in it. I should probably do that anyway, as the feathers around his vent are stained. I did manage to take a wet qtip to his beak to get pellet mush off of it.

 

[Love My Zons]

I keep him in my prayers! I hope the damaged tissue grows out. The beak looks so healthy up by his cere.

Glad he's eating well. Such a sweet little Guy.

 

[Rain Bow]

(((Chirp))) He looks good, w/ beautiful feathers. Even seems brighter/happier somehow... The only thing causing the word handi-capped are the people who use that term. I think Handi-Abled is much more appropriate especially hearing how well Chirp is transitioning now that the pain is down. Give it time & we may ALL be surprised by this fighter.

 

[Monica]

Unfortunately not. He's such an angry little baby- he hates hands and hates baths. He won't bathe in running water or bowls, in the sink or shower, anything. He refuses to be clean lol.

The closest I've been able to get to giving him a bath is by putting him in a critter carrier and putting water in it. I should probably do that anyway, as the feathers around his vent are stained. I did manage to take a wet qtip to his beak to get pellet mush off of it.

I can't remember if you've ever tried fresh greens clipped to the side of the cage? *MUST* be wet!

 

[camelotshadow]

Ohhhhh pooor sweet angel///That must be so hard on him & you. He's lucky to have you. I hope he gets passed this & it grows out. A miracle for an angel...That dear sweet boy...So sad for him...

 

[taxidermynerd]

I can't remember if you've ever tried fresh greens clipped to the side of the cage? *MUST* be wet!

Yeah, he's just scared of them. He's a little scaredy-boy. I ended up putting about an inch of lukewarm water in a critter carrier and putting Chirp in, so it came just barely up to his vent, and it cleaned off his vent feathers nicely. That carrier got a cleaning with F10 afterward.

Today we had a little scare, I took a look at him and thought the part of his beak that sticks down had broken off... I got ahold of him and luckily that wasn't the case, it just happened to have a tiny bit of blood on it. He's okay, thank god. He was very mad about the whole thing though, lol.

I did buy a critter carrier (yes, a 2nd one, the one I put him in for meds is missing its door, so I just put a washcloth over the top) when I was out doing pet errands, I cleaned it with F10 and cut some fleece to fit the bottom, which I then put paper towels on top of. So that is now right next to his cage, so if I need to I can just throw him in there and book it.

 

[Rain Bow]

Glad you got a 2nd cage but sad about the blood. I'm also glad you found an easier way to bathe Chirp, this will be less stress for you both!

 

[enigma731]

I second the rec for Super Clot. I know your vet gave you something to use, but there have been times when Super Clot has without question saved my birds' lives when nothing else would have worked. I recommend we all have it on hand.

 

[taxidermynerd]

I second the rec for Super Clot. I know your vet gave you something to use, but there have been times when Super Clot has without question saved my birds' lives when nothing else would have worked. I recommend we all have it on hand.

I will have to ask the vet- We have an appt on the 23rd. Where do you buy it from?

Chirp has been doing well, still feisty. He doesn't fly as much but sometimes he gets flippy-flaps. Often when I open his cage, he'll either stay inside or just sit in the doorway. But he still plays with his toys and all that. I'm happy.

 

[Cynthia & Percy]

Due to the fact that it could happen at any time I would call the vet about super clot not wait till the appointment and you can get super cloth overnight at some of our vendors i’m sorry I do not know which ones

 

[taxidermynerd]

I wonder if Petco might have it. I'm going there tomorrow so I will look. Chewy also has it, so if Petco doesn't I'll probably get it there.

 

[Cynthia & Percy]

I would still check with your avian vet the herb might have special properties said it would work faster than the super clot your vet might know the difference