red faced parrot finch nails

[ruler]

hope this is the right section for this topic.
both my parrot finches have really long nails but is this normal for them or is it just coincidence that both have really long nails???
im thinking about taking them to my local vet to have them cut/trimmed. i dont want to have them cut if they are supposed to be long.
when you look at the nails they are visibly long and often get them caught up in the wires on the cage or anything they cling on to. thanks

[Ursula]

You can cut the nails yourself. I'm not very good in "vet tasks" but I managed, though when I did it the first time with shaking hands.

You can do it with normal nail clippers. Just don't cut them too short.

[G8love4finches]

Make sure you hold them to the light to see the vein....Have some Quick Stop or cornstarch handy incase you cut the vein....It is scary the first few times, but it will save your birds from snagging a nail on something, panicking, and possibly a severe injury....Good luck, be brave!

[ruler]

i think im gonna take them to the vet just incase i screw up
im sure those nails bother the poor little bessys lol

[Ursula]

It's really not that difficult. I'd save my money for the vet for when the finches are sick. If you google it you can find instructions how clip the nails. Here are a couple of links as example:

http://www.finchaviary.com/Maintenance/NailClipping.htm

http://www.singing-wings-aviary.com/nailclipping.htm

[can]

My red-throated parrot finch has long nails, so despite having cement perches, I do also need to trim his nails. Parrot finches are more difficult because their nails are black and it is harder to see their vein. I always do a set-up before beginning, so the quick stop is on hand (open, with some poured out, for quick dipping), however I very rarely need to use it. I go a little bit at a time, making my way up the nail slowly. My parrot finch is actually very good about getting his nails trim, unlike two of my societies that scream like I'm braking them (not to scare you).

As for how comfortable you feel about it, it depends. This may sound funny, but my hands are small and I'm good with details. My husband however, has hands double the size of mine, and when his holding the little bird and has to cut their nails, he panics - and he's the one who brought the birds into the marriage. So do what you feel comfortable with. However a vet could get expensive, your bird may need his nails trimmed ever few weeks. Maybe ask, if they can show you how to do it yourself.

[ruler]

thanks for the replys and thanks for those links, they are realy helpful i might brave it and try it for myself and it would save me a journey to the vet with all my birds lol it looks easy but im sure i will be very nervous, dont want to hurt them and lose their trust in me

[finchmix22]

The first time I had finches nails cut, I made a well check at the avian vet and she showed me how to trim nails by doing one and watching me do the other. I was glad to have them checked out and told their weight, beak, eyes, lungs etc. were in good health.