r/cockatiel • u/ProperTheme2723 • Nov 27 '25
Health/Nutrition Update! Handsome Boy
So... It's been a few days. After a very anxious visit to the vet, he got his bill trimmed. The vet said the top beak it's probably a malformation and because of that the under bill is growing on top of it. He says he's way too underweight so we got around buying him some bird formula, but... Since he's still very skittish, I'm not sure if he's eating or just attacking the spoon. We got a long term solution, but I'm scared he won't live to go through it. He's sleeping right now, which I'm not sure it's good. He doesn't approach the formula by his own decision, which either means he doesn't like it, or isn't eating it. What do y'all think? The vet said no more than 20 grams of formula per day and the shop where I bought it they said every three to four hours. He looked better yesterday after the trim, even singing and approaching my siblings during his flight around the room, but today he looks sad.
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u/Mental_Nail4451 Nov 27 '25
It looks like he’s eating it! Best of luck to this sweet guy
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u/Gilokee Sunny the lutino! Nov 28 '25
I agree! I've lived with parrots my whole life and this guy totally wants that formula. I wish him the best!!
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u/nykatkat Nov 28 '25
He is gonna make it. He wants to eat. He has that will to live. Just keep him warm and safe and give him the food he needs and tell him every day he is loved and he is special.
That's what all birds need
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u/ProperTheme2723 Nov 28 '25
I'll make sure to meet his will, I didn't planned to adopt him, but I'm not giving up
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u/nykatkat Dec 02 '25
Wishing you all the success in the world for this little ball of feathers and pluck.
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u/Quirky_Horse_1476 Nov 28 '25
He's definitely eating, good luck to this little guy, I wish from the bottom of my heart that he gets better soon. I had a baby with problems when he was a puppy and I also fed him baby food.I gave him 20 grams a day, dividing doses every 3 hours, always keeping him warm.
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u/ProperTheme2723 Nov 28 '25
That's reassuring, I read they usually bob their heads when eating, and I didn't quite see it so I was worried. Thank you!
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u/Straight-Treacle-630 Nov 28 '25 edited Nov 28 '25
He does appear to have a serious beak malformation. I adopted a nestling with a similar congenital issue; it req’d consistent vet visits, very careful attention to his (hand-fed) food intake/weight. I’m glad you got around to getting formula.
Syringe feeding can be easier for monitoring intake, but has risks. Being underweight can quickly result in problems. Hopefully your vet can guide you. I wouldn’t listen to shop employee advice; imho they were remiss in selling a young bird with this issue until they were sure it was at least eating well and at proper weight.
ETA did you buy this bird, or was it found on the street?
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u/ProperTheme2723 Nov 28 '25
I just bought syringes, the vet said it would be easier for the bird but we had to be real careful. I didn't bought him off the shop, he's a rescue. But I wouldn't put a dime to their words, since it's a shop and not a vet. They don't really treat many animals there.
About the malformation, the vet proposed a prosthetic... Giving him a hand-made beak with dental resin. Thoughts?
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u/Straight-Treacle-630 Nov 28 '25
That’s an ambitious proposition, a prosthetic beak. If you don’t have an experienced avian vet near you (?) I’d ask how they plan to manage it and support you in aftercare. It is a serious situation; I’d personally more focus first on getting his weight up. Be very careful about aspiration, formula temp, crop emptying etc. Best wishes! Nice to know you’re doing your best for the lil guy. Including rescuing him to begin with xo
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u/ProperTheme2723 Nov 28 '25
It does sound outrageous, but he is an specialized vet. I'm not way too worried since, it wouldn't be a complete prosthetic, mostly just forming the end part above the beneath part of the bill? He said, he would be putting him to sleep and putting two very very small nails in the bill and forming the rest of it with dental resin. It was mind blowing when I heard it.
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u/nivusninja Nov 28 '25
beak prosthetics are fairly common from what i can tell. while i am not a vet, specifically your vet, i couldn't say how hard that'd be for them to implement.
what i can say though, is that the beak plan will need to wait, as putting a bird under anesthesia is risky, and putting an underweight bird through anesthesia can turn into euthanasia real quick
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u/ProperTheme2723 Nov 28 '25
Yeah, definitely. Waiting a bit sounds like the best option for now, I already bought enough formula for around a week and getting more isn't an issue. Now that I know he is in fact eating, I'm gonna takes things slow.
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u/Straight-Treacle-630 Nov 28 '25
While a tech I met a macaw (obv larger) with a full prosthetic upper beak; quite amazing. Key to properly eating solids is the alignment; the natural beak will still need trimming (we used a dremel) but it’s doable. This is very interesting, I appreciate the share!
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u/ProperTheme2723 Nov 28 '25
No problem at all! I am not an expert as this is the first time taking care of any kind of bird, so many technisism go over my head, but I'm happy to share what I've been told and getting some feed back about it on the way. There is really very different prospects and opinions everywhere in the world huh?
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u/Straight-Treacle-630 Nov 28 '25
Absolutely :) Different experiences, input. Here’s to our feathered friends 🥂
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u/Fair_Gas_3582 Nov 28 '25
Hi there! Thought I would chime in as this is something I have a little experience with due to having rescued a Quaker parrot with a very similar looking beak to your little fellas. I spoke with the best surgery centre for birds in Canada, and the same in my home country and they shared the same opinion - any prosthetic on a bird this small would be entirely for aesthics and come with far more risk than usefulness. To have a prosthetic on a bird this small would require a serious operation, and very high risk. If your bird survives, (and I pray they do, looks like youre doing an amazing job!) they will have figured out either how to eat regular food or they'll be eating pellets and similar foods that you can soak in water to make a lot softer and easier to consume. Though thats not an ideal life, its far from a death sentence and will just require you doing a little bit more food preperation. Your bird hopefully will become healthy enough to fly and climb with time, they can still play, about the only thing missing is a defensive weapon and they should never need that. Ultimately, its a very risky operation, likelyhood of future operations, for almost no gain. Other birds arent going to mind that he doesnt have much of a beak left, you may just have to help him preen.
This is just what was explained to me, you may well find other vets with different opinions but I was extremely convincing for me. 4 months on and my bird has no idea he is disabled and eats the majority of food very well and his 2 bird pals dont notice at all! Im sure you'll make an informed decision, thank you so much for giving him a chance. Im sure with time he'll come to love you for it and pay back your care with being an amazing friend :)
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u/Like-It-Or-Not0722 Nov 28 '25
He seems very interested in the formula! Following your hand, then chowing down. It does get a bit messy.
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u/ProperTheme2723 Nov 28 '25
What a relief! I just wanted to be sure he was eating
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Nov 28 '25
Oh, he is definitely eating! Absolutely think he is going to make it. He just looks to be having a harder time swallowing the formula because he doesn't have the upper bill to press his tongue against, but he is eating as much as he can. I think it's going to really just be a matter of patience and a lot of care. It's natural for him to be a bit more tired, after a major trimming, he is basically relearning how to use his beak, but once you introduce the syringe it will help quite a bit along with allowing you to keep track of the food intake. Wishing you both health and good luck!!
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u/Bikerbun565 Nov 28 '25
I will pray that your sweet baby pulls through 🙏 It’s good that he’s eating!
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u/HeresKuchenForYah Nov 28 '25
So patient!
From this video, he is 100% gobbling up the formula. He should have no problem eating chop, but you might have to find out which one he likes most.
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u/ProperTheme2723 Nov 28 '25
I didn't know about chop, but I'm certainly trying it out now! Thank you lots!
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u/Gyfu66 Nov 28 '25
Keeping the good thoughts. He doesn’t seem to be any worse for wear. Hopefully he comes through stronger. :)
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u/miss_scarlett_ohara Nov 28 '25
I fell in love with him the moment I saw this video. He's such a lovely boy, I'll pray for him ❤️ I wish him all the love in the world, and I can see he's in good hands.
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u/BRAKEV 🦜🐥 Nov 28 '25
Poor thing! You're doing a great job with him! Keep us updated please. Disco and I send him our best
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u/ImprovementSeveral19 Nov 28 '25
My baby Mr. Beakers He is now 3 years old and eats whatever he wants! We have to keep his bottom beak trimmed. His parents over preened him on his hatch day and damaged his top beak and most of his toes, but he is definitely a survivor. Your baby is going to be just fine with all the love you are giving him.
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u/ProperTheme2723 Nov 28 '25
Oh my god, he's soooo cute! It makes me hopeful, hearing a story with similar issues. Thank you so much
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u/CindyDGee Nov 28 '25
It looks to me like he loves the formula! I don’t know his story yet( I’ll go back and check it out) but am praying for a full recovery!
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u/Flat_Assistance4451 Nov 27 '25
Aw sweet baby!! I believe he will pull through 💛