Parakeet Beak Trimming and Care

Unlike birds in the wild, pet birds, such as parakeets, live in caged environments that consist of perches, cage bars and swings. These surfaces in the cage are normally smooth. As a result, when the parakeets rub their beaks against these surfaces, they have no effect on their beaks, which tend to grow and may, at time, become irregular and rough. On the other hand, in the wild the beaks are trimmed and worn down on abrasive surfaces, such as tree bark or branches. So, if you have a pet parakeet, paying special attention to beak care is a must.

  1. Signs of Healthy Beak

    • A healthy beak allows your parakeet to play, chew toys and eat food properly. On the other hand, if the beak is overgrown, irregular or injured, the bird will not be able to use it properly. Signs of a healthy beak include a symmetrical and smooth appearance, lack of discoloration, properly alignment of upper and lower beaks, and lack of peeling of the beak.

    Parakeet Beak Abnormality

    • Parakeets can end up with an overgrown beak, which means that either the upper or lower beak gets too long. Generally, the upper beak tends to grow longer than the lower beak. When a parakeet has an overgrown beak, it cannot feed properly. This leads to nutritional imbalance and can have an adverse effect on the bird's health. In addition, an overgrown beak can result in liver disease due to lack of proper nutrients.

    Parakeet Beak Trimming

    • It is best to check your parakeet's beak regularly. If signs of overgrowth are visible, take the bird immediately to the vet. The vet will be able to identify the reason for the overgrown beak and also trim it. It is usually recommended that pet owners refrain from trimming the beak unless they have a lot of experience in it. Trimming is best left to an avian vet. Remember, if the beak is trimmed too short, the bird will be in pain and may experience bleeding. As a result the bird will not be able to eat.

    At Home Beak Care

    • Besides beak trimming, taking proper care of the beak can prevent it from overgrowing. Home care of the beak involves giving the parakeet good nutrition consisting of high-quality bird pellets and lots of fresh vegetables. This will ensure beak health. In addition, give your bird chew toys to trim the beak. Alternatively, you can also give your bird wooden blocks, natural coconut pieces and plastic beads to chew on. Provide the parakeet with cuttlebone to help trim the beak and fulfill its calcium needs. Having a conditioning perch in the cage will also allow beak trimming while the bird wipes its beak against it.