I won't be clipping Shelby's nails anytime soon !

[427HISS]

I've made three attempts in the last few weeks, and each time I've cut them too short. I swear only about 1/16" and they bleed so, I'll have the aviary vet show me. We need to make the first appointment anyway, since we got her a few months ago. I always clip our dogs and other family's members pest and seldom,......cut too short.

Shelby's are really curving back and real sharp. She'll let me file them, but shouts when she sees the clippers. lol

Once the vet clips them, I'll just file them every week.

Is their any specific file boards that you recommend or just use the cardboard type we use on our own nails ? It seems like her nails are much harder than us humans ?

Kevin

 

[henpecked]

I use my wife's nail boards, i do like one toe a day, maybe work on it a few minutes several times a day. next day or two i'll do another one. Try and leave the nail slightly pointed as it helps them to grips slick/hard perches. I also use a hard/rough perch near their food bowls, like the "pedi-perch" type.(unless it bothers the pads of their feet). With birds like CAGS it's hard to see the quick in their nail, I'd do a little at the time , a nip every couple of weeks is safer than a big cut twice a year. But the right perch might help alot.

 

[dishgal1]

I tried once with my green cheek, I'll swear I only took the pointy tip one bled. Never again. My vet uses a technique that sears them over as he takes them off. He was great. I put corn starch down and walked him in it. It was only a tiny drop but I felt horrible.

 

[henpecked]

Make a game out of it and file them, you won't have to clip. If they're down to the quick now ,it won't take much to keep them there.

 

[427HISS]

My main problem is I don't know how long the nail is supposed to be. I guess a little less than where I'm cutting and getting blood makes sense ?

It may be that she needs no cutting, just filing. I used my wifes file board and she likes that much better.

I'll get my belt sander out with the 45 grit. That should work ! :11:

I watched a youtube video and a lady washes their feet, cuts the nail's, uses hydrogen peroxide then the ointment/septic. Is all that overkill or a great idea ?

 

[henpecked]

Go with the nail file,do a little at the time and life should be great.The problems occurs when they go long periods without attention.Your past that now.Make a game out of it . No Rx needed.

 

[427HISS]

I agree !

 

[PortaPerch]

I wonder if some people are too anxious to clip nails. When we had Greybeard's nails trimmed the first time after we got him, I noticed he was having trouble holding onto a perch, so next time in for free grooming, I had them skip the nails.

 

[dishgal1]

The file does sound better. I had to have mine clipped because they were starting to curl when he was about 6 months old. He hasn't needed it since because he is more active now I guess.

 

[427HISS]

PortaPerch- "I wonder if some people are too anxious to clip nails"

I'm sure you're correct.

I just need to find out from the vet, how much curve,.... her species need or what's natural to be able to clamp onto tree limbs etc. ?

 

[Luna]

Hello, Parrot nails or beaks do not NEED to be trimmed. The only eceptions are sick and very old birds. I have one female cocketiel in her twentieth year that caught a nail and pulled it off. That brought my attention to the length and shape of her nails. We have four old Agapornis that require beak trimming. This becomes ovious when a feature nomaly a firm quarter inch or so becomes almost waxy in appearance and is thee times it's normal length. If left untreated the lower beak will recurve until it contacts the throat. One looks forward to it the others still resist. When I did trim Luna's I had her sit on a perch I held one foot at a time and used human nail clippers. Since I stopped to reduce the damage to my arms and shoulders I try to use an old leather coat sleeve. More bother but my arm bleeds less. D.D.