Clipped nails.. who needs a beer more, me or the finches???

[BirdCrazy]

I have noticed that Strawberries nails grow the fastest of any of my birds. I have to clip theirs twice as much as the others. I put off my Javas as they like to try and bite terribly. Even my Goulds will bite some. The only ones nails I never have to trim are my Button Quail as they run on the ground all the time most likely wearing them down in the process.

As far as clipping dogs nails, I am a groomer and do my fair share of it. I really like the type of nail clippers that are like scissors especially on the smaller dogs. The trick to doing darker nails is to not do much at a time. If they are overgrown you just trim them back slightly every couple of weeks until they are shorter. You don't want to trim too much trying to get them short as they will bleed and that is no fun in your house or for the dog.

[jimlas]

Hi There,
When I first brought home my Gouldians I noticed how long their nails were so I went and got a pair of my boys baby nail clippers and went to town. I think the baby clippers work so good with birds. My cat has his own pair as well. Now I need to buy another pair for the boys
Oh, I did dissinfect them.
I also went out and bought a sand perch for each of their cages so maybe that will keep up with the grooming.

Do finches beaks ever have to be delt with? I sure hope not.

[L in Ontario]

Do finches beaks ever have to be delt with? I sure hope not.

They sure can! The easiest thing is to have a cement perch (I don't use sand perches) next to their water dish and they will usually wipe their beaks on it. If not they may get overgrown and need to be clipped as well... just like my one male right now.

[JavaMama]

I just clipped Strawberry nails yesterday, and they were waaay too long. I have found that even with my glasses on, it is hard to see what I am doing when clipping or banding, so I bought one of those magnifying glass things that hang around your neck--you can usually find them where needlework items are in craft stores. With that and a good strong light, I was shocked to realize that I have not been clipping the nails short enough. Before, I couldn't see the quick on some of the birds, so I would just take off a little each time, but really never enough. Now it is much easier for me.

I guess I am going to have to trim the java's nails. As for my beagle, he gets his trimmed about once every 2 months or so. He's easy, but I am scared to death for the finches. guess I'll just have to be brave and do it!

[dfcauley]

You can do it! And it will get easier every time.

[fairestfinches]

Been doing it for years whne they really need it, but I still get nervous when clipping nails. Just one of my little quirks.

Sandy or Pedi perches are the way to go in reducing the need.

Now, after talking about it, I'm ready for a beer!

Sean

[FrenchieFinch]

Hi everyone, i bought a pair of beautiful gouldians over the weekend, and man, the male's toenails need clipping bad...what should I do, as I have never attempted this, and they are just starting to settle into their new home...should I wait? Possibly take them to the vet? don't want to stress them any more, they have had enough for a while I believe....

[jimlas]

If you are not sure how to clip them or uncomfortable you could bring them to the vet. The 7 that I brought home a few weeks back had really long nails too so I just took baby clippers and snipped off the end. Just be very careful to stay away from that vein in there. Thankfully their nails are easy to tell where this is.
You could give the birds a couple days to calm down and then take them out as well.

[Finch Fry]

I had no clue what I was doing, everything I knew going into my first clipping was what I learned from the Finch Info Center (link at the left of the forum). Surprisingly, its the ONLY topic under health that is even started. It is REALLY good with pictures AND a video. She describes proper method for holding so that you have as many free fingers and put as little stress on the bird. I followed her method exactly, it was quite a comfortable hold providing complete control over the finch and allowing me to manipulate the legs as i pleased.

Also, suggestion, use a pair of human nail clippers, not those over priced 9 dollar ones they sell at the local pet shops. What a waste. Just have a dedicated pair for the finches and do a quick cotton swab of rubbing alcohol after each finch. Have flour or a match on hand to coderize/stop bleeding in the event of a qwik cut. (or you can buy qwik stop powder for about 5-6 dollars).

If you are too stressed or scared or hands are too shaky, i think it will cost 20 or so dollars a bird at a vet. If you can manage it on your own, you are looking at free to 6 dollars depending on what you have laying around the house. Also, bird stress levels are WAY less if you can do it in home.

[FrenchieFinch]

Ok, I will give the kids a week, and I will try to summon the courage to try cutting their nails...we will see how it goes!

[atarasi]

video on nail clipping

[ac12]

Great video.
I have to learn how to hold the bird. Every time I try the hold in the beginning of the video, they scoot out from my hand. The only way that worked for me was either having the bird in a cloth which covered their head, or putting one finger over their head, both ways blocking their head preventing them from scooting out. I need to learn how tight I can hold the bird w/o hurting it.

[atarasi]

I think it's normal to react too quickly when a bird tries to escape from your hands and you end up hurting the bird by holding it too tightly or incorrectly. Just move your hands slow and delibrately. Finches can't tolerate compressing their little bodies. Putting the birds neck inbetween your index and middle finger is a good way to control it's body.