Questions about water and nails and beak

[Shelbyrenee1329]

OK this may be a weird question but my husband and I are getting a cockatoo and I just have a few questions.
First- we have very rusty well water will this hurt the bird?
Second-what is everyone's opinions on nail clipping and beak trimming? I have had people tell it is and is not necessary. Now i would think with the right perches, chews and amount of activity she should not need it, but I would just like options.
Thanks Shelby

 

[JerseyWendy]

I would recommend using bottled water ONLY, as rusty well water doesn't sound too healthy.

As for the beaks and nails, I agree, that if the bird is provided with adequate chewing toys and perches, it may never be necessary to trim either nails or beak.

 

[MonicaMc]

Unnecessarily trimming of the beak may cause it to overgrow... so it should not be done unless there is a valid reason to have it done. Same can be said for nails, however nails tend to be sharp anyway, and most owners do not enjoy the sharp nails of their birds! Dulling/clipping the ends can help greatly help with the pain of that!

You could always get a water filter or use bottled water.... my birds used to live on well water without issues, then tap water/city water... and now it's reverse osmosis water. I don't like the tap, and I can get it for free, so it's what they drink!

 

[DerSchniffles]

I use a brita water filter container for all our animals. Thats all the birdy gets just to be safe.

 

[MikeyTN]

I would highly suggest bottled water. Even the filtered RO water machine at walmart is better then well water.

By keeping a concrete perch will help to eliminate the need to trim their beaks and it helps with the nails as well. In the past 8 years we have never had our LSC too's beak or nail trimmed. But we have had our macaw's nails done several times. Also our other bird's nails too. So go buy yourself a good concrete perch and that will solve a lot of your issues there.

May I ask what type of Cockatoo are you guys thinking about getting???

 

[mrgoogls]

i use filtered water from my refrigerator. and cooper is happy and healthy.

nails may need to be trimmed once in a while. it woldnt be a bad idea to do if you clip wings to get nails done while you are there.

their beak shouldnt need to be trimmed ifthey chew and play. that will wear it down. if your bird doesnt play much or just not really on anything that will wear down the beak then you may have to get it filed or trimmed once or twice a year