Molly's Beak

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

Molly damaged her beak while I was out. There is large patch missing on the left side of her beak. It goes down at least 3 layers and the further down (towards the tip of her beak) it goes, the more of a gap there is.
I tried to get a picture, but she wouldn't hold still. See the pic below which shows what I'm talking about. The part above the red line disection is still tight against the other layers of the beak. The bottom red lines outline the parts that are lifted and the chunk out of the side.

I know their beaks peel, but I've never seen it this bad.
There is no blood and she keeps rubbing it and breaking off little pieces that are lifted.

How bad is this. Should I try to get her to a vet tomorrow?

[Dot]

Diane, I am so sorry. My RFM has beak issues. I have emailed the Dons and Bill. I'll also go email Peggy. They know far more than I do.

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

Thanks, Dot. I just panicked when I saw the big pieces sticking out. She's been rubbing her beak on everything. She did let me use an emery block on the sharp edges. Each time I finished doing a little, she made kissy sounds and said "Ahhhhh". She is so sweet.
She keeps rubbing her tongue on the inside edge where there is a chunk missing and it's ragged.

I don't think it will hamper her from eating, but I think she'll get soft foods tomorrow.

[Dot]

Thanks, Dot. I just panicked when I saw the big pieces sticking out. She's been rubbing her beak on everything. She did let me use an emery block on the sharp edges. Each time I finished doing a little, she made kissy sounds and said "Ahhhhh". She is so sweet.
She keeps rubbing her tongue on the inside edge where there is a chunk missing and it's ragged.

I don't think it will hamper her from eating, but I think she'll get soft foods tomorrow.

Thank goodness. I read your post, saw those photos, and adrenaline hit my system. I wonder if I'll be able to sleep now? LOL Your okay now? I can go to bed? I'll stay up and hold your hand if you need it. I see Don H. is online. Maybe he'll post soon.

[iti hoa's mom]

That is fine. She had a lot of accumulation.

The part towards the tip that is not peeled off will lift up easily in the next few days and she will have nice beak underneath.

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

She seems fine this morning. She ate her soft food and then made some splinters out of her chew toys. She did have a fluffy feather stuck under the tip at the end of the layer that's lifted. She let me hold her beak and pull it out.

[Don D.]

Normal loooking beak just prior to a big slough off. Champ (Greenwing) just went thru the exact same thing about two weeks ago. Give a lot of wood chewing material. Champs beak is smooth as butter today.

Don D.

[birdie]

Sydney scared the daylights out of me a few weeks ago doing the same thing.

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

Thank-you all. Brenda, I see Sydney is more cooperative with the photos than Molly was. It did throw me when I saw the big pieces sticking out. After I got a better look (with my glasses on) I could see it wasn't as bad as it looked.

There must be a blood supply in the beak. Does anyone know how far down the beak is vascular?

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

Theo's beak looked similar to that when I got her. Now that she's chewing wood and playing with toys it's perfect. Scary to look at though.

[birdie]

Thank-you all. Brenda, I see Sydney is more cooperative with the photos than Molly was. It did throw me when I saw the big pieces sticking out. After I got a better look (with my glasses on) I could see it wasn't as bad as it looked.

There must be a blood supply in the beak. Does anyone know how far down the beak is vascular?


:haha: I had to take 20 pics to get those. Thank goodness for digital cameras.

[FoxersArtist]

Peggy - have you ever worked with a bird who had beak sloughing where new beak peeled off along with old? I imagine if this was the case they would be bleeding. I am just curious to know if or how frequently this is possible. I have seen them peel so that the new beak looks a little pink underneath, but never to where it looks like new beak has broken off too.
-Anna

[iti hoa's mom]

Never have seen new come off with the old unless the old was somewhat forced off before its time and tore some of the new beak sheath.

[birdscomefirst]

Hi,

I am OK with that beak too. It will be fine, in time...

Bill

[too&me]

Looks pretty normal beak progression to me as well.