Long bottom beak

[quailmama 82012]

So im new to quail and i just got some this week. I just noticed that one of my new quail's bottom beak is pretty big. What should i do? Should i clip it? Do you think she can eat/drink?
Thanks.

 

[maadroj]

Aww, poor thing. Is it also a bit "scissored"/crooked? She's made it to adulthood, so she can probably eat and drink ok. Watch her for a few days and see how she does. I've heard from others with quail with crooked beaks that their birds adapted to it and were able to eat, drink, and preen fine.

 

[Ratchnick]

If it were my bird i would file it. Never owned quail but i used to file the beak on my parrot all the time. I like to use a coarse emery board. Its better then cliping because if you clip you can cut a large portion of the quick and it will bleed a bunch.

 

[JaeG]

If they don't have things to rub their beaks on to wear them down their beaks will grow. I use dog nail scissors to clip our ones if they need it.

 

[quailmama 82012]

thanks. i think I might try to file it if she doesnt drink or eat well, but i think she does ok. if shes having trouble, i'll try to file it before clipping because i don't have a very steady hand, lol. they have a ramp up to their coop and it has sand paper on it so they dont slip, but i dont know if they wear down their beaks on it.

 

[Green Bean Quail]

I have a scissor beak quail as well. She eats and drinks fine, I just have to grind her feed up more and her scissor beak is fairly severe, but she does well when I mix it with wet feed like fine shredded vegetables

 

[JaeG]

thanks. i think I might try to file it if she doesnt drink or eat well, but i think she does ok. if shes having trouble, i'll try to file it before clipping because i don't have a very steady hand, lol. they have a ramp up to their coop and it has sand paper on it so they dont slip, but i dont know if they wear down their beaks on it.

I've found that if I use a brick or paving stone to elevate their waterer they will rub their beak on that, and if you sprinkle food on it too so that they have to peck at the hard surface it helps as well. She looks to have broken off the top part of her beak but not the bottom (it happens), but if you can file the bottom back a bit it will be more comfortable for her. The bottom beak is quite thin so file gently. If you could just snip it off it would be faster, but I know how wriggly they are.

 

[quailmama 82012]

i just caught her, it was harder than i thought because shes so squirmy, and clipped her beak. its not totally off, but it mostly is. i think she will be fine.
thanks everyone!!