Anything to worry about?

[WeeDodger]

Looking for a bit help here folks, noticed the last few days, small hairline crack each side of juniors beek, hes quiet, eating and moulting well- feeding on rabbit, pheasant and Honeybrook rats.

The crack does not look much , i hope the pic shows it ok. (small white one - upper)

Anything to worry about - does the bird require supplements?, as i dont give any, just the above, and the occassional doc and mouse .
Cheers Steve

[GregMik]

Moved......

[FlameHairedFalconer]

Having had to deal with a jack once which nearly lost its top mandible due to what initially appeared to be a small crack - yes I would be concerned.

I would suggest you cope his beak now - the top mandible is a little long (not overly so) and you can file into the crack gently to see how deep it goes. If it does go as far up as it appears you will need to keep a close eye and continue coping over a period of weeks until it has grown out.

If you are not used to coping, get someone experienced to show you.

FHF

[WeeDodger]

Just read a few old threads on coping, and sure, its something ive never been shown as i dont personally know anyone who has coped their birds beak, my close falconer friends all fly just a single bird,guess i will have to have a quick session - steep learning curve approaching, unless anyone local to me fancies showing me once?

Steve

[Pitbull]

get yourself down too the deer centre in fife, or barry at elite falconry

[AngelJakki]

We looked after a female that got a little split I mean little nothing like that I noticed the bottom beak was long and putting abit of pressure on the top one coping at the right time stopped it. Have you noticed if the bottom one is touching the inside of the top one?? Just a thought. The deer centre in Cupar is probably your closest bet.

[Jiff]

the side of the upper mandable is over grown, cast the bird up mate, snip off the tip and reshape, oped the beak on a nice day or indoors with good light you can see the over groath, simlar to looking at you're finger nails take this back to the original shape with a round or half round file,not easy when you're shaking but you'll soon calm down, when i baught sky i took photo's of her beak from differant angles now if or when i have to cope her beak i use the photo's as a guide, once you take the overgrowth back, looking at the pic you will still have a couple of mm of crack showing i'm 99% certain that you'll find it's only the growing layer that is actualy cracked and not the birds phisical upper mandable, gently file this away simmler to filling you're nails, when you cast her you'll see what i mean when you get a close look, i hope this makes sence, as i said i'm 99% certain that it's over groath but catch the bird up and make certain a close look will reveal all.

[FlameHairedFalconer]

I should say that the many hours in my mispent youth filing my nails helped enormously with my coping skills!!

FHF

[Sprout]

Good tip = photo your birds beak as an eyass, gives you something to compare to later on.

I must admit to being disappointed at the amount of people who don't know how or even what coping is? What do people get taught on courses/by mentors now? Or does no-one read books - there are plenty of good pictures about in literature (check Emma Fords Falconry Art and Practice).

Yes the bird in the pic needs coping, biotin supplements can help growth of beak/nail but a good varied diet with plenty of tiring will keep it in good nic.

[Jiff]

emma fords book explains it step by step and clearly with fhoto's and sketches both for hawks and falcons which have a tooth which needs catering for.

[Talon]

try this link hope it helps.


http://www.themodernapprentice.com/coping.htm

[ChrisRobbo]

Some good sound advice here mate. By the looks of it though it may take a couple of sessions. It is very well documented in many books.

The upper and lower part of the beaks on a hawk are relativeley easy its reshaping the tip that takes a bit of time. Just be carefull and don't rush! Also a tempary change of diet may help preventing the crack spread. The previous link shows all you need to know.

Atleast you noticed and asked as cracks can turn nasty! Coping is something that is part of good husbandary and will at some point be needed by all falconers.

Regards Chris