Hi all, new here and all that. I have 6 budgies and 2 cockatiels and live in Queensland, Australia.

 

I'm a little worried about one of my budgies - she has a soft and overgrown beak, and while she seems otherwise healthy (still able to eat normally etc) I'm sure there must be other concerns. Until recently I was trying to just keep it trimmed down into the right shape, but now it seems to be getting softer and I don't want to try to trim for fear of breaking it.

 

Any advice for the nooby? She's only 15 months old and bonded with another, I'd hate to lose her.

Hi and welcome

 

I wish I had other answers for you, but truly I think she needs to be taken to a good bird vet.

This could indicate that she has some type of internal issues which is why I would take Kaz's advice and take her to a registered Avian Vet to have her examined, they most likely will have to do blood work to see what is going on, this is not something that happens very often. Please keep us updated.

Please see an avian vet. Deformed beaks can be due to liver disease (often due to dietary deficiencies but can be due to other things), mites, old or current injuries, or something they are born with. A blood test will tell you about the liver and other internal possibilities, and a scraping will tell you about mites (do their ceres look crusty?).

Without correction of the problem, I am afraid that you will have to keep trimming (treat a symptom not the disease) for the rest of her life, the beak may continue to get worse, and it can get to the point where she cannot eat properly (it must also be very stressful having it done to her). The underlying disease may also manifest in other, nastier ways.

I agree with the others, it is best to see an avian vet to get the tests and fix the underlying problem. Please let us know how she goes and keep us updated.

Edited May 26, 200916 yr by Chrysocome

Was she fed soaked seed when she was young?