Clipping the toenails

[thermodynamic]

Well, I am daring to clip the nails for my fids. At least Rusty and Scooter, who trust me implicitly. Rosie is trusting me far more and more but it's still a fragile relationship... and her somersaults and other antics have shown her nails to be neat virtually all the time - yay! Tybbi will eventually be an issue, though I do have perches with sand on them that help the issue...

Rusty's easy to clip since he's a cinnamon - it's easy to see where to cut. As he gets used to the clipper and the process, I'll be more comfy in doing it. I've clipped his two front toes and then let him unwind.

Scooter, a standard GCC, is a different bird - being black, it's impossible to see where to draw the line and not cut. I cut less amount of nail off, but for him I might take him to the vet...

Apart from seeing a vet, which I will definitely do for Tybbi and Rosie as needed, what are recommended ways to do nail trimming? Apart from time and patience, which I definitely have... Rusty and Scooter both trust me implicitly, as they didn't flinch when seeing the clipping tool. But I'm starting this process slowly...

And I do have styptic powder on hand in the event I cut too much off...

Thanks!

 

[weco]

When clipping small birds, all you really need to clip is the very tip & unless there is a lot of nail growth/over growth, there shouldn't be a blood vein that close, now if they've got long nails, that might be a different story.....

I usually use a regular set of finger nail clippers, but if the curve of the blades bothers you, you can go to your local beauty supply store & pick up a set of acrylic nippers, with straight jaws.....if the bird is apprehensive, some people find it easier with a helper to hold the bird while they clip.....there's a pic at http://www.parrotforums.com/training/29486-difficulties-older-conure-training.html about how to hold conures & small parrots, to control their head and beak to prevent biting.....

Good luck...

 

[LoryLover]

I clip my lory's nails 2 or 3 times a year. She lays on her back in my hand and I use birdnail clipping scissors that I bought at Petco. If the scissors blades are dull and its hard to clip the nail, it can stress both you and the bird. I've heard other people say they clip as their bird is standing, by picking up a foot, clipping the nails, then do the other foot. I usually stand next to a tall lamp so it gives me plenty of light to clip just the right amount off the toenail.

 

[thermodynamic]

When clipping small birds, all you really need to clip is the very tip & unless there is a lot of nail growth/over growth, there shouldn't be a blood vein that close, now if they've got long nails, that might be a different story.....

I usually use a regular set of finger nail clippers, but if the curve of the blades bothers you, you can go to your local beauty supply store & pick up a set of acrylic nippers, with straight jaws.....if the bird is apprehensive, some people find it easier with a helper to hold the bird while they clip.....there's a pic at http://www.parrotforums.com/training/29486-difficulties-older-conure-training.html about how to hold conures & small parrots, to control their head and beak to prevent biting.....

Good luck...

Thanks!

Yup, Scooter and Rusty do have surprisingly long toenails, especially compared to active Rosie...

I usually stand next to a tall lamp so it gives me plenty of light to clip just the right amount off the toenail.

Thanks!