Clipping for the first time

Geordie · Post by **Geordie** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:15 am

Just clipped the birds nails for the first time today, managed to avoid any blood, but what a nightmare it was. They hate me now and won't come near me...time for some treats I think to soften them up a bit...a wife is higher maintenance though

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:17 pm

Hi Geordie, good job clipping your birds nails. They won't hate you for long. I have been using actual tree branches in my flight cages and the breeding cage. If you pick one that makes the birds feet open up and their claws rub on the wood when they perch, you won't have to clip the claws as often. I have found that fruit tree branches work the best. Just make sure ther is not spray of anykind on it.
I'm sure you can soften up your wife with something sparkly or sweet!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:04 pm

Geordie....good for you getting through the trimming. I have yet to do it...and the Gouldians really need a nail trim...and the female needs a beak trim as she has a crossed beak.

So I am trying to get up the courage to do this...

Hubby helps me when I have to trim my Lovebirds wings and nails and my two parakeets as well...it just helps to have an extra pair of hands....besides...I rather have them bite his fingers rather than mine! LOL

But being a new Finch owner.....these little guys seem so delicate I am afraid I will hurt them...I am such a weenie!

But I WILL do it this week...I will have hubby help me...as I don't think I am coordinated enough to hold them in one hand and trim with the other....well....maybe the Gouldians...but I KNOW the Zebras will be a challenge...as I could hardly hang on to them when I had to take them out of the old cage and transfer them to the new one....they were like little vibrating monsters....boy do they wiggle!

Geordie · Post by **Geordie** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:17 am

Don't worry about being firm with them, these little'uns are very hardy, but luckily mine are finger tame so it was easy at first...I let them out of the aviary...same as usual, let them play with me...same as usual and when they started to push my thumb around...same as usual...I closed my hand over them.

Basically i Used my index finger and middle finger plus my thumb to do the whole job and had the nail clippers in the other hand. My thumb and index finger were around the neck while my middle finger was stretching the leg a bit, it was their first time, they screamed a bit but...wouldn't you...anyway, they have stopped biting their nails and seem much happier...and they have forgiven me for it.

Also, I put some rough branches in the cage and they are using them, they keep rubbing their beaks and nails on them so I don't think I will need to do anymore clipping anytime soon.

Also, make sure you have some cuttlefish in your aviary, that may solve the beak problem, my Javas love rubbing and knawing at it and it is a good source of calcium for them too (I think)

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:54 pm

I wish my birds were hand tame...it would be so fun to play with them! I "talk" to my male Gouldian and he raises the hairs on his head and sings back....I don't know if I am saying anything bad or not lol...

I do have a mineral and cuttle bone in the cage and have some natural willow branches in there and I do see them rubbing their beaks on the wood so hopefully that will help.

I understand what you are saying about the trimming but I think I will start with having Hubby help me the first time till I get a feel for doing this.

Geordie · Post by **Geordie** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:32 am

Just remember not to trim too much, if you clip the red vein in their claws and they start bleeding your going to need a box of matches handy to cotorize(sp?) the flow. If it happens light the match then blow the flame out and immediately apply it to flow.

Don't use a soldering iron

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:46 am

LOL...no worries about using a soldering iron!

I have Quick-stop if needed or cornstarch.

I once tried using Hubbys dremel(sp) to trim my Cockatiels nails....too scary to use....didn't want to take off the whole darn foot...eeek!

Went back to using special bird nail clippers...

But I will remember the match idea. $\:D/$