Gouldian hen's strange beak

[tbird]

I have just noticed that one of my gouldian's hen's beak has grown a into a long point. The only way to describe it is that at first I thought she has a long piece of straw or seed husk stuck to her beak.It doesn't stop her from eating. She is about 3 years old. Unfortunately, I can't get close enought to get a photo and to catch her or any of them is near impossible. I stand on a ladder holding the net, while my daughter waves around a walking stick so they will fly around and hopefully head straight for the net. Yeah right!

[natamambo]

It will affect her eating, and definitely feeding young. Try some cuttlebone or mineral block, that will usually trim it down naturally, otherwise it will need trimming with clippers or by a vet.

[jusdeb]

Put a concrete brick in the aviary . I put my water bowls on 2 bricks each aviary a while ago just to get the water off the ground a little and first thing I notice is birds using the bricks to wipe their beaks .

Cant hurt and not going to cost a fortune 75 cents at Bunnings .

Cuttlebone as said will keep a beak in trim too .

[finchbreeder]

Have a painted hen with the same problem, and she seems to fix the problem with cuttlefish, though I do keep an eye on her.
LML

[Myzomela]

There is usually an underlying problem with these birds, often involving the liver.
You can certainly try any of the above suggestions and see if they help, but don't be too surprised if she doesn't live as long as some of the other birds.
Good luck with her.

[tbird]

Thanks for your advice and the good news is that I put a mineral block into the avairy and her beak is back to normal.