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Post by heatherg on Jan 20, 2024 20:17:09 GMT -5
Willow’s beak overgrows a little. He was on an all seed diet for his first seven yrs which was probably not great for his liver. But now he eats Harrison’s maintenance pellets, avicake, vegs and fruit.
I want to purchase a dremel-type nail grinder instead of using a nail file. The file takes a while and I’m hoping that I can-also use it in Jasper’s toenails. Has anyone got a certain type of grinder that they use? I’ve got a couple that I’m considering on Amazon.
Thanks,
Heather
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Post by cnyguy on Jan 20, 2024 21:10:42 GMT -5
I'm sorry that I can't give you any advice on that. Ralph has never needed any special maintenance on his beak, nor did George or Scooter. Ralph keeps his beak trimmed down by rubbing it on his cement perch. Unfortunately for me, that also gives it a very sharp point. That can make even a gentle nip painful.
I have heard of parronts using a Dremel or similar tool for beak trimming. I don't think that Ralph would care much for that but maybe Willow won't object.
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Post by Caseysmom on Jan 20, 2024 22:24:23 GMT -5
Sorry , I am no help either There have been times I’ve thought his beak looked a little longer. But then It wasn’t. I guess all his wood chewing helps that
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Post by heatherg on Jan 22, 2024 0:25:34 GMT -5
Willow doesn’t chew much at all. He’s not interested in a cuttlebone or mineral block—and I’ve bought fruity ones, too.
I have successfully filed his beak with an Emory board but he doesn’t like it. I thought a nail grinder would be faster and less stressful.
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Post by heatherg on Jan 25, 2024 1:19:19 GMT -5
I think Willows beak problem is correcting itself. But the beak still has a long thin point so I am going to try a grinder on it.
His beak is wearing more normally on the sides but the tip is still too long and sharp.
I’m hoping if I can get the tip to a good length, maybe it won’t overgrow anymore? But not holding my breath.
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Post by cnyguy on Jan 25, 2024 20:41:34 GMT -5
As I said, none of my parrots ever had a problem with overgrowth of their beaks, so I don't know for sure if trimming Willow's beak now will change the way it grows. I guess you'll find out. Maybe it's something to discuss with Willow's vet at some point, especially if the overgrowth presents any problems.
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Post by heatherg on Jan 31, 2024 15:41:55 GMT -5
It doesn’t present any problems, just a little puncturing beak TOOTH that causes accidental finger perforations.
The beak is definitely wearing down more normally. Willow has been eating a pellet based diet now for three years.
The little nail grinder will arrive in a few days and I can more easily take the sharp stabby tip off. Hopefully it will make trimming Jasper’s claws easier, too.
I’d just rather not be bloody from a little “ go away” nip.
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Post by cnyguy on Jan 31, 2024 20:16:06 GMT -5
I understand that. As I said, rubbing his beak on the cement perch puts a nice sharp point on it for Ralph and it's like being stabbed with a needle. Sometimes the cement perch works the other way and blunts the tip, which is how it is now. It doesn't sound like Willow's beak is in such bad shape now and it may not need much attention to keep it that way.
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Post by heatherg on Feb 7, 2024 12:43:11 GMT -5
I just got the super nail deluxe manicure machine. Looks like an electric toothbrush, honestly. I’m going to try to even out Willow’s beak and then maybe trim down Jaspers too-long nails. It needs two AA batteries.
My thought is that the grinding stone will be more than enough for bimonthly trimming (if that) of Ws beak-tooth.
He’s been latchingon above my right eyebrow and making me bleed. Then licks the blood. Gross little bird!!
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Post by cnyguy on Feb 7, 2024 20:22:24 GMT -5
Maybe Willow is part vampire.  Actually, licking the blood is how a parrot cleans a wound on a human friend. |
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Post by heatherg on Feb 9, 2024 16:41:46 GMT -5
I just tried the Supernail Deluxe. It runs off of two AA batteries and comes with several interchangeable heads. I chose the pink grinding stone to trim Willows sharp beak tip.
It was easy to use and grinds easily when you press a button on the side. It’s very fast but does make a high whining sound that W didn’t like. I think it was much faster and probably less stressful than restraining him for a longer time while hand filing his beak tip.
I was mostly worried about touching his tongue with the grinding head so made sure his beak was closed. He didn’t LIKE it but I gave him many kisses and told him what a good bird he was. Within a minute or less, he was perching and fluffed up. Now he’s wagged his tail and crunching his beak.
I think this was less stress on either of us than filing slowly with an Emory board. It was less than ten dollars so am guessing it’s not that well made, but if I remove the batteries between uses it should stay functional. The head won’t wear down anytime soon but can be easily replaced (similar to a drill bit).
Willow is perfectly fine, fluffed up and just got a smooch right now. He just fed a full body fluff and wag. The nail grinder is sitting a couple feet away and he’s totally fine.
I am relieved it was so easy to use one handed and I’m going to try to trim the Meyers parrot’s nails soon. They’re getting caught on things and she doesn’t like that. For this I might do better to use a rougher head but I haven’t yet figured out the trick of changing the heads. I could read the directions, I suppose.
I’m happy about this purchase and may even try it on my nails! But it’s more for removing heavier fake nails.
Seems like a handy and inexpensive little dremel tool, too.
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Post by cnyguy on Feb 9, 2024 20:15:49 GMT -5
Sounds like it worked out well for you. I would imagine that it could hold up for a while, since it's not something you're likely to be using that frequently.
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Post by heatherg on Feb 9, 2024 23:50:21 GMT -5
Exactly! Little electric devices tend to die because you leave the batteries in and over years they leak. So I hope to take the batteries out and store separately.
His beak is smooth and the snaggletooth is gone with little fussing. Maybe tomorrow I’ll see if I can do Jaspers nails while she’s hanging off her cage bars.
I made sure to tell willow how handsome he looks now. He seemed proud of himself.
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Post by heatherg on Feb 11, 2024 18:24:53 GMT -5
I adjusted the trim to shorten Willow’s beak tooth. I didnt want to restrain him long when I initially trimmed a few days ago. So held him and trimmed for another 30 sec maybe.
Willow is perfectly fine and this involves much less manhandling than filing with a nail fine.
He’s gotten lots of kisses on his beak and is crunching now so he’s definitely not sore or upset.
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Post by heatherg on Feb 24, 2024 0:12:43 GMT -5
I found that I was using the wrong attachment to trim Willow’s beak. The one that worked best was the medium grit sandpaper drum over the bit. It took seconds to zip off the remaining fang on the end of the beak instead of minutes.
My guess is it you don’t have delicate work to do, don’t use the fine pink grinding stone. That takes minutes to slowly grind down by tiny amounts. I found the sandpaper grinder took only a few seconds, two touches, literally, and was much less stressful. Had I started with that there would have been less time and stress.
After that I tried to trim Jasper (Meyers parrot)’s toenails. She is just too big to hold in one hand and grind with the other. Kept working her toes loose and grabbing at the bit. No, she was not injured. But I think that is a two person job. Maybe I will be able to trim one or two nails at a time as she hangs on the side of her cage clicking at me. Otherwise I will need to take her for grooming or tack it on to a vet checkup. The business with Jasper was an ordeal for both of us and I’m impressed that she doesn’t seem mad at me. Because I think _I_ would have been.
I’m thankful that Willow chews down his toenails on his own.
He’s starting to interact more with his toys and I’ve started stashing new items in his foraging baskets. I just bought Sola sticks for him to chew. He’s now experimenting with arranging/ weaving! So maybe if he’s USING that beak for something besides eating and pinching he will begin to wear it down. He is just not a chewy bird.
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Actually, licking the blood is how a parrot cleans a wound on a human friend.