Trimming nails and plucking

[Meredith0708]

Hello! I need some advice about trimming nails. Lola needs her nails trimmed really bad and I have never done it before. I tried putting in a perch that would trim down her nails, but it freaked her out and after a day I took it out. I am trying not to freak her out since she is new to me, in a molt and seems to be overpreening, so I don't want to do anything to make her more nervous. The other problem is she is afraid of pretty much everything, so anytime I come near with clippers or even a nail file, she runs away. She has also been more bitey with this molt. Not sure if I should try and force it or leave her be for awhile until at least the molt is over. I would take her to a vet to have it done but the nearest one is over an hour away and I am sure that would also freak her out.

Another question - just now as I was typing she pulled out a short feather that looks like a new one, it has a lot of casing on it and has blood on it - does this mean she is plucking? I can really see where being inexperienced is not a good thing I guess you all started at the beginning too, though.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[MacawGuy]

That's a blood feather that could of been broke. I would take her to a vet for nails. Cuz if u cut the nails back to far they will bleed also. So the hour and a half may be the drive. Its hard to trim nails yourself even with a tame bird it can be. So if she is running from you I wouldnt do it. But best of luck

 

[melissasparrots]

Yes, she is plucking. Usually after they have been plucking a while, the feathers they target first are the not quite fully mature feathers on their body. These ones have a little bit of pink blood and waxy sheath at the end.
If it were me, I'd take her to the vet to get her nails done and have them show you how to do it correctly. Then start working on her with clicker training. Start out just getting her used to having her feet touched and held in a position like you would hold them to clip. Then start doing that with the clipper or file several inches away, moving it closer and closer until your holding it while touching her feet. I did this with my sulfur crest when she was a baby and she's great at letting me do her nails. If your nervous about clipping, use a file instead.

 

[hopi]

I would agree...do not trim nails by yourself. The pet store where I bought her cage will do it for nothing. (I usually tip them, though.) If the store has birds in their inventory, they'll know how to do it a heck of a lot better than we mere owners. And your bird won't hate you for it...

 

[Didomum]

If she is upset and you are nerves then it's best to let some one else do the clipping. Plus if you think she plucking then a trip to the vets might be the best thing. That way you can get her a check up at the same time. I like to do as much as I can myself but sometimes it's better to leave it to the vet to handle it. The long trip might be worth it.