Scissor beak

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Robb n toohey
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2015 4:09 am

Scissor beak

Post by Robb n toohey »

G'day guys today I brought two lutino Indian ringnecks and the female has a slight scissor beak and was told she is fine and healthy and can eat and bread no worries is this true and will it fix itself with plenty of healthy food and calcium or does she need surgery ?

Apparently it's only new she never had it all her life, was an aviary bird..


Cheers in advance,
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: Scissor beak

Post by MissK »

Origin of scissors beak could be genetic or developmental. Improved nutrition might help, if it is not congenital. Note, just because the beak developed over time does not necessarily mean it is not a congenital trait. For example, think about scoliosis in humans - it may not be initially seen, but develops and can severely malform the human over the course of life. Is this the same bird that has the bad wing?

Honestly, your Lutino pair is looking less like birds who should be bred. If you are set on breeding, I think you should return this pair and get a healthier pair instead.
-MissK
SkyeBerry
Posts: 270
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2014 2:14 am
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada

Re: Scissor beak

Post by SkyeBerry »

I agree with Miss K. Even if the scissor beak was caused by poor nutrition, is this the bird you want to use for breeding stock? What else could be wrong? What about bone density? How about her muscles? Reproductive organs?

....Scissors Beak....a condition where the upper beak is not straight and does not meet correctly over the lower beak...rarely seen in parent raised birds and it is
thought that parents may assist beak development by locking onto the rhinotheca when feeding the chicks. Several theories as to what the cause of this condition
include improper artificial incubation or feeding techniques, heredity or, if developing over time, improper nutrition.


...The avian vet may trim the upper beak, cutting off the tusk and reshaping both the upper and lower beak. Persistent trimming will eventually result in both upper
and lower beak growing normally. Incorrect trimming may worsen the condition. This should only be undertaken by someone skilled and trained in this
procedure. This condition may sometimes be corrected with an acrylic appliance. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

source: http://beautyofbirds.com/scissorsbeak.html
Mary
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