Do curling nails mean my Gouldian is old?

lyswood · Post by **lyswood** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:37 pm

Hi again all -

You were so helpful with my last question, I have one more short one. Quick history: I bought two Gouldians from a bird fair on Sunday. One died on Tuesday. I went tonight and got the remaining bird a friend from another breeder. While I was there, I inquired about my first finch's nails - a few of them are curling outward. I plan to trim them in a week or so.

My question is that he said this means the bird is old. We were told he was only 2 - do you think we were lied to, or could his nails just have grown out instead of downward? I think it's just the left foot that has some twirlies. They are long, but if you could straighten them, they don't seem longer than other birds before a trim.

Thanks in advance!!

Post by **Sally** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:03 am

I haven't heard that, but then, I don't have Gouldians. I do know that with some of my waxbills that grow nails incredibly fast, they will start to grow in other directions. A quick trim usually gets them back in line--and this happens with young as well as older birds. But again, these are waxbills, not Gouldians.

lyswood · Post by **lyswood** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:12 am

Thanks so much, Sally =) I'm hoping it's not true - really, if I could straighten the nails, they're not longer than the new 2-year-old I just got, it's just that they go sideways instead. Either way, I love him and am so happy to have him, for however long we can. Disappointed if I was lied to, but confident we're giving him a good home.

bugaboo5 · Post by **bugaboo5** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:17 am

No, curled toes do not mean old age. Rather, it means that the perches the birds were given might have been too big. That is, too big for the birds to wrap their toes around evenly. This is precisely why a lot of finch owners tend to recommend natural perches like sterilized home-made perches made from fruit trees, or perches sold in stores like mazanita perches. Rather than big round perches, a good perch allows finches to comfortably grasp with their toes.

To determine a old bird (though not always fool-proof), the feet will be scaly (like dragon scales) and wrinkly looking. The color of the feet of young birds are bright and the feet are usually nice and smooth. Old birds tend to be rough looking and nails can be discolored. The color will not be as vibrant and 'fresh' looking.

lyswood · Post by **lyswood** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:20 am

Thank you, Bugaboo! I'll take a peek at his feet in the morning when he wakes up. He seems young to me, but of course they're quite good at hiding age, illness, etc. I'm not convinced he's old and this helps. Thanks!!

debbie276 · Post by **debbie276** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:55 am

I also have never heard "curled toes means old age".
It is very important to have different perch thicknesses available so your birds feet get exercised and they have a variety to pick from.
Good luck with your new buddy

lyswood · Post by **lyswood** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:57 pm

Thank you - I bought them some perches of varying sizes today. =) One is the wavy cement kind, and the other is like a branch with several sizes. Also, the two kinds of wooden perches in their new cage are different sizes - they have lots of options now. Fingers crossed it works and they're happy! Oy the stress...lol

MissEdie · Post by **MissEdie** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 6:05 pm

bugaboo5 wrote: To determine a old bird (though not always fool-proof), the feet will be scaly (like dragon scales) and wrinkly looking. The color of the feet of young birds are bright and the feet are usually nice and smooth. Old birds tend to be rough looking and nails can be discolored. The color will not be as vibrant and 'fresh' looking.

Nice to know ,even if it isn't fool proof.
The Orange weaver that was brought to my aviary from the company.
look like that. They swear he is healthy.I was worried.
Doing all the reading I have been doing.I told them I thought it was something else.
But they have been breeding different finches for 25yrs. Here I am a newbie to finches ,telling them what I thought,lol.

lyswood · Post by **lyswood** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:26 pm

Hey gang -

Just wanted to post an update and another thank-you - I noticed today that the newer bird, who I know is 2 years old and had his nails trimmed when I picked him up 2 weeks ago - is now showing a bit of curling when he sits on the fattest perch. It also seems that the first bird's curling is not as noticeable (he rarely perches on the fat stick for very long).

Bugaboo5 and the others were right and I feel better about the first bird not being too old.

Of course now I'm worried about trimming TWO birds' nails - I've slated that for next weekend. Yeeps. I think it'll stress me more than them - ha!

Anyway, that explanation made complete sense to me but Hubby argued it. Now I see it happening - makes even more sense. Thankfully they have many perches to choose from and they don't sit very often on that fat part of the stick perch. Thanks again for pointing it out to me - learn new things every day with these little guys.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:42 pm

Everything you do for the first time is scary!

There is an article and video about nail clipping at the Finch Information Center. I like to use cuticle scissors, or even those little nail clippers that often come on a key chain will work. Since my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be, I bought one of those magnifying glasses that hang around my neck--often sold in craft stores for needlework. You can start slow, trimming a little at a time, but you will be surprised at how much you can trim off. Just be sure to have something on hand to stop bleeding in case you do cut too short--and that is not the end of the world, either. Just stop the bleeding, and make sure it is stopped before you put the bird back in the cage. And I always give them a kiss, an apology, and a spray millet treat if I do happen to draw blood.

http://www.finchinfo.com/health/trimmin ... _beaks.php

lyswood · Post by **lyswood** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:53 pm

Thanks so much, Sally!! I've been watching vids and reading tips and will look at all of it a few more times before I dare try - lol. The breeder of Cosmo was just so carefree about it - blew my mind. Seems like once they're in your hand, they're pretty calm - though the first two times I had to catch little Cos he chewed on me - it was kind of cute. =) Doesn't hurt nearly as bad as a parrotlet or cockatiel - lol.

I've heard that flour can stop the bleeding - is this a good thing to use, or is it better to invest in a stiptic pencil or something? Pretty sure the first few times I won't be brave enough to get near the quick, but sure do want to be prepared. =)

Thanks!

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:14 pm

You can use flour or cornstarch, or Blood Stop powder which is made for birds, but a recent tip from one of our members (fabulousfinch) is to use liquid bandage, like you can get at any drugstore. It's the latest item to be added to my emergency kit.

lyswood · Post by **lyswood** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:08 pm

Oh cool - I do have liquid bandage - that's a good idea. =) I might get a bit of all of them in case - lol. Thanks!

Rispa · Post by **Rispa** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:15 pm

Does liquid bandage work more effectively? Or is it more sanitary or something like that?

lyswood · Post by **lyswood** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 1:53 am

Actually, Hubby brought up a point earlier about the liquid bandage. We have each tried putting it on finger cuts and it stings like the dickens!! Won't this hurt the birds too?

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Do curling nails mean my Gouldian is old?

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