I have this situation with Occy. He wont chew wood so his beak gets long. The last time I trimmed it he became one big black stressbar and I felt really bad. Well, the stressbars are finally almost gone. His eyes are clear, his poops are good, he plays, sings, talks..I know he is healthy. My dilemma is, do I get his beak trimmed or let it go? I dont want him to turn black again. His poor little heart beats so fast when he see's the file.

I don't suppose he would work on it himself with a sandy perch or something similar? Like maybe if he had something gooey on his beak? I don't know Leigh, that's a question for an Ekkie guru for sure.

Leigh-

My ekkies grind their beaks on Lava rocks..I would look online for them..my ekkies love them..weird birds lol..But if occy's beak is getting so long that he can no longer eat then its time to trim and if not and he is still able to eat then let it go...IMO

Leigh, was he due for a molt or in the process when he had beak work done? The reason I ask; is stress bars would show up if the bird was stressed while those feathers were in the making and growing in. Feathers that are already in will not get stress marks on them. Once the blood supply is gone, they're technically dead. I've seen black areas on them when they're old and worn. It's almost like the color pigment gets worn off them. I saw this on Kita when she came here. She hadn't had a molt in a very long time.

Kady has had his lower mandible trimmed many times at my AV. It was major long when I got him and it's been difficult keeping it in check due to diet and no chewing. I opt to have him have some light gas when my AV works on him. He too gets very stressed. I only had it trimmed one time without some sedation and never again. Poor guy was panicking and bit the entire end of the dremmel off.

You may want to talk to your AV for input and options.

He was molting when it was dome and was full of pins. Then a while after the trim I see all these new black feathers opening. He's not having any trouble eating and its not misshapen. Its just a little long. Im opting, and John as well to just let him be for a while. I havent vetted him yet and I hesitate to do so. My confidence in avian medicine just isnt there.

Leigh, I just snapped these pics real quick. This idea has helped Kady chew a little. It's a perch that is placed right above his dishes (no dishes in the holders in picture). He reaches out and chews on that a lot after he eats.

If it's a little long, I wouldn't worry about it as long as he can eat well. With Kady we had to take care of it because it was the bottom mandible and the length was forcing his mouth to stay open. We were concerned that it was uncomfortable for him.

I am grateful to have an excellent AV. I was just saying the other night that they're so few and far between (some states have none) that it has to be difficult when you don't have one you trust completely.

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What type's of wood have you tried with him? I have a friend who had an Ekkie that wasn't much of a chewer,but he would chew on popsicle sticks and balsa wood.Have you had him Vet checked to see if there is a medical reason for his beak over growth? ( I do understand your lack of confidence in avian medicine,I'm the same way)

I have 2 bottlebrush perches in there for him. One which is the spinner at the end of the perch. He would rather rub his "stuff" on it than chew on it and the other is at his water bowl. I put it there because he does this weird beak washing thing and makes his water totally gross. Then he rubs the sides on the bottlebrush. But he never chews anything! His cage is full of wood, and leather as well as sandy perches and toys with pieces of sandy perch.

Poor Occy! Is he afraid of a regular nail file? Wonder if you could "play" with him with that and just sort of file a tad each day?

His first big trim was with an emery board. Then I did a few more with the emery board. The screams are heart breaking even though I know Im not hurting him. He doesnt like restraint.