Nails too long on my finch!

[David]

Any advices how to trim my zebra finch's nail? Do you think this is too long? Her nail never can gasp the perch tightly even on the smaller perch, so I really want to learn how to cut the nail with nail clipper. Any ideas would be great! Thank you!

[David]

Sorry forgot post the pic. Hope you can see the nails clearly.

[David]

Here's another one.

[finchmix22]

Take a pair of nail clippers and hold him in one hand with his head between your index and middle finger. Use your other fingers to hold the foot and clip very carefully, so you don't cut the quick and make the nail bleed. If you have some quick stop or corn starch, or even flour, keep it nearby so if you accidentally cut the quick, you can stop the bleediing by putting the nail in the powder. Just go slow and carefully.

[Gráinne Barrett]

finchmix22 has said it all. The main point is to see where the bloodline is and then it's quite easy.

[David]

Thanks for both of your advices. I will try to cut it carefully, but where is the bloodline or what is quick ? Maybe I have to google it lol! But will not cut the nail til tomorrow because I won't be home til tnite since need to pick up my parents at airport later. Will keep post up here and let you know what happen.

[Sally]

See the article and video here: http://www.finchinfo.com/health/trimmin ... _beaks.php

[Gráinne Barrett]

http://www.finchinfo.com/health/trimmin ... _beaks.php
This article on finchinfo.com should help you!

[David]

Thanks for the links I will try my best to help my birdie by trim little by little cuz don't wanna hurt her. Will let you all know how it goes afterward.

[David]

Oh no, you know what? by the picture from above, i just realized the right side (from the finch's side of view) first nail was swollen than other nails isn't it? Is it because the nail overgrown cause her unparalleled on perch? I might be wrong, but I think not just the nails, but maybe her feet overgrown too? please check it for me, before I trim her nail, thank you!

[MiaCarter]

I think her feet look pretty normal.

I think it's safe to proceed with the clipping.

Just get a really bright desk lamp or similar. Her nails are pink, so you'll be able to see the little tiny vein in the core of the nail (that's the thing that's called the quick -- the blood-filled core. That's also where the nerves are located, so you don't want to clip too short). You want to clip just a bit in front of the end of the vein.

And as the others mentioned, have some corn starch or styptic powder on-hand in case you do clip too short. Just dip the nail in the powder until it stops bleeding.

If she has any foot issues, clipping will only help with those.
Sometimes, their feet can get hung up as a result of long nails. And chronically long nails can make their toes sit in an unnatural position, causing swelling or injury. So all those issues can be remedied by clipping the nails.

[Elsidewe]

David
i guess you have your question answered from above comments, but i have a side note that ive noticed from the figure you have posted, you are using an open nest for your zebra finches...
i use the closed nest and they love them much more than the open one... just though of dropping you this hint though it is out of subject for this post.

[David]

MiaCarter, thanks for your detail info. It's very helpful, to me, I now know what is "quick" mean, will do my best and carefully when clipping her nails, hope I won't have any problems with bleeding issue. Learned something from you, thank you very much!



Elsidewe,
I know what you mean, when I first use the closed nest, my finches were scared and panic not willing to sleep in their nest at night so that's why I used the open nest, they instantly love it and hop back and fifth from nest to perch lol thanks for the info.

Will let you know as soon as I cut her overgrown nails.

[David]

Yay! I did the trimming today and NO bleeding caused which is awesome, now hope my zebbie can perch better than before. Maybe I need check on her nail again next 2 weeks make sure not overgrown again! :> thanks for all your support and advices!

[MiaCarter]

David -- Horray! That's great news!
It's always nerve wracking the first time; the subsequent times are never as bad!