Laker had a crack line on his beak over a year ago - but not as pronounced as this [I don't think]. I remember saying that Pogo had a rough edged beak & wondered if he was playing rough. Well the lads have been really into the chewing & Rio's beak is cracked. He seems OK with it.

I saw it later in the day.

Rio & Laker are once more in molt. Lots of pins & kind of scruffy. See Rio's beak!

So no chew toys tomorrow - instead they will get some fresh green grass seeds.

Pogo's beak never really showed any cracks, but the sides of his top beak did look king of jagged. I think it's mainly from all the playing he does with his toys. Those plastic cat ball toys are all worn down where he grabs them and throws them around.

Rio's beak doesn't really look like a crack but one of the layers has shed off. I've seen that on many Budgies that I've had. I don't think it's anything to worry much about.

That's what it looks like to me also.

It is nothing to worry about. Just like our finger nails can crack or peel so do beaks. Have they got a mineral block or perch to file it even again?

Can't really tell much from the pic.

Billys beak has a big crack down it and also looks like someone has hit it with a hammer. (they probably have actually he is just a mess all over).Took him to vets and she said its not affecting his mouth but i need to keep an eye on it and take him back to have some resin put on it under anaesthetic. He has no problem cracking his monkey nuts open!

Ruby's beak is so "cracked" and peeling. The vet said it was fine. I think it is normal, but if you are worried, just have your vet check it out.

Thanks guys. I was looking closely at Laker's beak as well - He also has a crack - lower down & finer.

A friend of mine keeps asking if I file my bird's beaks. She does this for her Sennie - I personally think it is a bonding thing for the 2 of them - Percy's beak looks really nice. She files it gently every week - so there's no big file day. She does the tip as well as the outside. Her bird just lets her.

I did keep watch to see if it bothers him - no change in his enthusiasm for food. - I'm only giving them grasses today & they're happy enough.
If it is just a top layer - like I saw with Bunny [Grey] & Percy [Sennie] when her beak was being filed & probably what Laker had - then it will wear away. They have plenty of places to polish the surface area. They have the cuttle bone, the mineral block, the wooden perches, the concrete & sandy perch as well - not to mention my headboard on my bed.

Scott - did Pogo's beak smooth out or does he still give those toys heck?

Here's the original photo of Rio - not resized.

Attached Images

May 17 2008 028.jpg (220.3 KB, 1 views)

Looks like normal wear and tear to me, Jac. Like you say, they've been doing more 'wearing and tearing' lately then they're used to. I'd keep an eye on it, of course, but as long as its not bothering him or growing significantly larger, I think its ok. Could probably be gently filed a bit, but I'd check with the vet and see what he thought first.

Everyone's beak around here gets like that occasionally, I don't think it's anything to worry about. I think he's shedding a layer of the beak.