Nail/Beak trimming, or not.

[bigfellasdad]

Hi, interesting reading threads about clipping nails and beaks of your birds. I've had several budgies and a cockatiel and i've had to trim the beaks and claws on all of them. Im struggling to find a thread about parrots looking after there own bits.

First time I took Enzo to the CAV he commented on how well id kept her nails and beak, when I said I don't do anything, she does that herself, he just said 'good girl' and moved on the conversation. I've often though about that moment as I thought self hygiene must be different with the larger parrots. Is that really the case or a rarity or what? I thing id be a little nervous of cutting the nails/beak of a larger bird as more energy would be needed to make the cut, and more chance of a slip etc.

 

[SailBoat]

In all Parrot's Natural Range, none of them ever need their beaks or nails trimmed, Never! When their diet strays from what is commonly in their Nature Range and, their current environment does not have surfaces in which as part of their normal activities keep their nails and beaks at normal lengths. That is when problems occur.

Regarding the beak. IMHO, only a trained Avian Professional (CAV if possible or a AVT) should ever trim a beak. Remove too much of the upper or lower beak and it is very possible that your Parrot will stop eating as there is a nerve mass at the root of both the upper and low beak and pain or numbness of the beak halts their use. This could take up to a week and without force feeding formula, your Parrot could starve.

Trimming nails, requires a knowledge of the nail structure and like the beak, remove too much can result in pain and their not placing weight on the foot.

Regarding all of the products available, my only great concern is: Never have your Parrot use such product(s) as its sleeping perch...

 

[bigfellasdad]

Thanks Sailboat, im really glad I asked then! Enzo does have various rough perches in her cage and her sleep perch is one as well. Ill remedy that today.

In the past, before such places like this forum existed, in fact when I first had budgies as a child, the internet.....or even tcp/ip existed!!! Therefore cages where sold with straight pine perches and nothing else and we had no idea or concept of anything different, so i can see where the problems arose with nail clipping etc.

Im so glad this forum is around, thanks so much again.