I got a baby lovebird on saturday, its very sweet, but its beak is very long, and sharp. I want to train this bird, but I cant do it without gloves..does anyone have tips on trimming its beak?
2007-02-12 13:04:27 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
A certified avian vet has to do it. If you or someone inexperienced files too hard or too deep, the beak is a VERY sensitive area and has blood vessels running through it. It can be EXTREMELY painful if done incorrectly and can bleed to death. The risks are very high when taking procedures like this into your own hands, and since you just got the bird, it's due for a well-bird check to make sure you're getting a healthy, happy bird.
But just know that getting bitten (a lot) is a part of parrot ownership, especially for lovebirds. Wood toys are fantastic for keeping beaks down, and my guys love wood toys to chomp on, as well as shredders and shredding cardboard (it's tough enough that their beak has to work hard into it).
I wish you luck when your baby reaches the 6-8 month mark when sexual maturity starts, because they are very territorial and will tend to bite even more than baby beaking now. And good luck with the initial taming now. :]
2007-02-12 13:21:06 · answer #1 · answered by PinkDagger 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been known to use a fingernail file on my birds beaks. They really should not need clipped or trimmed though. I just file off the very tip. I do the same on their nails.
2007-02-12 13:09:03 · answer #2 · answered by Tammy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to use a file to manually do it, but i woldnt reccomend doing it yourself..take them to an avian vet.....or get them a cuttlebone, they will chew on it, it keeps their beaks under control, and has lots of vitamins in it great for birds. If he or she does not like it...(keep in mind, it will take about a month before they touch it....if at all) get a mineral block.....Tropical fruit flabored....My bird will not touch his cuttlebone, but loves his mineral block....Plus, it helps his beak stay shorter and more dull....and it gives him vitamins! They should be 2-3 dollars at the local pet store.
2007-02-12 13:30:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations! It is important to get hooked up with an avian vet soon so I would observe them doing it. After awhile you can work with it with regular filing so you don't have to trim.
2007-02-12 13:15:26 · answer #4 · answered by fanci 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like you said the safest option would be to file them down I used to have to budgies and that's what I did .
2007-02-12 13:07:31 · answer #5 · answered by jasmine :) 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some pets stores will do it for you and they will teach you how to do it. It is better to learn visually!
2007-02-12 13:07:06 · answer #6 · answered by jen19801976 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it wont be able to eat
2007-02-12 13:18:15 · answer #7 · answered by just me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋