Nail cutting

[Eppie]

My B&G Macaw Casey is 13 and I love to carry him but his nails are so long they poke bloody holes in my arms. I took him to the Aveary last September and had his wings and nails done but is there a way to do the nails at home? How do you know how short to cut? I know a bird can bleed to death from a nail, right?

 

[Riley's mom]

If you are not familiar with clipping the nails or have someone who can keep a pretty good hold on the bird while you are clipping, it would be best to take your bird to the vet to have it done. Those black nails can be very tricky. If they are really bothering you, try running an emery board across the tips to take the edge off some, but they still should be cut back. Good luck.

 

[DustyDusky]

I agree with Rileys mom. If you are not familiar or never clipped your birds nails before I suggest you have the vet do it. It can be tricky to do.

 

[willist]

Don't have Casey's nails trimmed, buy a cement perch maybe 2 for her cage. Make sure one is the highest perch in the cage and put the other one maybe in front of her water bowl. Her nails will be trimmed in no time. When my Greenwing Auggie was a baby and too young to perch his nails were like needles and would puncture my skin every time his tried to perch on my arm. When he got old enough to be moved into his big bird cage and started perching on his cement perches "bingo" problem solved. He's now 5 yrs. and I've never needed to have his nails trimmed. That goes for my other 2 birds as well.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Some birds will wear down their nails on perches, others wont.

I'm lucky enough to have one of the former. I haven't had Auggie's nails done in a LONG time. I've gone in for check ups, but they say his nails are fine.

I do have stone, wood, and rope perches in his cage and all over his room. But I do know other bird owners who have all sorts of perches and have tried every perch arrangement and they still need regular trimmings.

Try out the perches for maintenance, but for now it sounds like a trip to a vet or bird groomer would be a good idea.

 

[birdcrazy]

I agree with Auggies Dad, if they are too the point it is uncomfortable handling him go ahead and get them taken care of then maybe try different perch arrangements to keep them filed. I have several grooming perches in the conures cages, one is their favorite perch, but it doesn't seem to do much for their nails. I have clipped black nails before but it was just the wee tiny tip, while my dad was securly holding him. Most of the time I file or make trips to my vet who uses a drimmel. It depeds alot on the bird, but I imagine a macaw would be tricky because of their size.

 

[HRH Di]

I hate when my birds' nails get to be like 8 hypodermic needles digging into my shoulder or hand. I agree with everyone here to have them trimmed by someone familiar with doing it, however, there's nothing that says you can't learn. Our breeder has shown us how to do them. She uses a Dremel instead of clippers, which means no sharp edges. I've don't Jade's but haven't attempted Max's yet.