Speaking of beaks..

[Jessalyn Eaton]

my vet once put a little drop of "oil" on Ruby's beak and rubbed it in. She seemed to like it. I had forgotten all about it until reading the other post discussing trimming beaks. Why did he do that? Do you all put anything on your beaks? Those sweet beaks!

[Xanthus]

it is just a mineral rich oil. when you have to trim the beak or file it, the oil then makes it look nice, smooth, and pretty. you can use nail oil (what I use when needed) or even actual mineral oil.

[Jessalyn Eaton]

Her beak doesn't get filed, but should I do it sometimes anyway?

[Michelle & Fids]

I personally would never "oil" my birds beaks. The birds preen their feathers with their beaks, so some of the oil has to transfer to their feathers. JMO

[Jessalyn Eaton]

That's a good point.

[Xanthus]

when I have used oil, it is only after buffing or filing it. I wipe on the oil, then wipe off all excess. There is no real reason for it becides aestitic reasons

[Jessalyn Eaton]

Thanks guys.

[Xanthus]

Of course that would assume you do not have excessive flaking or overgrowth. If you do, you shouldn't be working on it yourself any way !! You don't want them holding a grudge. I do my best to flake off any excess off of Tarots beak, but it is not real bad. I just don't want food particles to get caught under there, which would also unsanitary.

[Jessalyn Eaton]

I never thought about the unsanitary part. Ruby only likes her beak rubbed softly and kissed. Sometimes she gets maybe a flake. I think she is a bit vain about it and keeps it looking really pretty on her own. Once she had a flake on the side and it was funny to watch the way she "worked" it with her tongue. Do you think I should have helped her with it?

[Xanthus]

I would personally let her do it, as she does take such good care of her beak. Tarot does occationally get a little flaking on her beak when she is on a low chewing cycle. She will let me help her a little, but as I said, we are talking mostly aestetic reasons now !!