Flaky Beak

[Lindann]

Max, my 9-month-old Sennie, has a flaky-looking beak, both top and bottom. It's not powdery or anything, just has large flaky areas. It seems like the top part has a shiny new area over most of it. Does the beak peel off as new layers grow underneath? I never noticed this with my cockatiels; their beaks always looked the same. Max eats well--lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts and grains. He has a few feathers sticking up here and there, like he's beginning to molt, so would that have anything to do with the flaky beak?
Thanks--Linda

[jimpierce7]

Max is growing out of his baby beak. This is perfectly normal.

[GlendaNS]

Maybe the beak (tooth) fairy will visit! That is cute! Loosing his baby beak...awwww

[Lindann]

Thanks--that makes me feel a whole lot better. He is rubbing his beak a lot--all over everything--me, his perch,his food dish. He's also getting gold feather epaulettes on his shoulders. They stick up a bit and look quite attractive, so we've been calling him "The General" lately. Too bad there isn't a Beak Fairy. I wonder what she would leave in exchange?
Linda

[seven of nine]

my sennie also got flaky beak but after do some research ,they were normal and usually after shower they peel off.

[featherduster]

Both of mine get flakey as well....not only that, but their beaks flake too! LOL!

[Sabauda]

Our Sennie, too, went through a flaky beak stage. Now, at almost 18 months, there is much less flaking. We were worried at first but the vet said it was normal. He rubs a lot, and likes it when we scratch and smooth it with our fingers. I discovered that when he ate a bit of fish or pasta with remnants of olive oil on his beak that I could just give him a good beak massage with the remains of the oil, and the beak condition improved. He likes this grooming event and it seems to be good for the beak.

[Lindann]

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try the beak massage and see how he does. He's going through a nippy stage so I'll have to be careful, but he loves scritches so he probably will be okay with it.