Nail clipping

[Harley2013]

I know that Harley is still too new and not yet acclimated yet to his new home and surroundings, but for information in the future, how does one know when a canary's nails are long enough to be trimmed? They tend to grow quickly and longer than the norm from what I have saw. Is there a way to tell when they are too long? And what is the best way to trim these delicate birds nails without scaring them to death? They seem so delicate and fragile. Their little hearts must beat a million times over knowing that someone is trying to get them to trim their nails. Poor things.

[Sally]

Here is an article on nail trimming at the FIC--it also has a video demonstration. I don't have canaries, but I would think the same information would apply. Many of my waxbills grow nail incredibly fast, so I have to do much trimming. It does stress the birds somewhat, but far less than when they catch overly-long nails on something and are trapped.

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

[30 Seconds to Bob]

If canary nails are much bigger than about half a centimeter or if they begin to curl around, they should probably be trimmed. I use a good pair of human nail clippers and 2X reading glasses (even before I needed them) to be sure that I don't cut into the quick. Sometimes it helps to let them curl the toes around your little finger. Be gentle and patient - and do it in a small room such as a bathroom just in case the bird escapes. I've done hundreds of canary (and other finch) nails. It really doesn't freak them out too badly if you're gentle and don't cut them. Catching them is probably the most stressful part. Bob

[Harley2013]

How long should I wait until he is acclimated to attempt this? This coming Sunday will be one week of him being with me. I personally think that they are in need of a quick trim, I would try to take a picture, but that is almost impossible for him to stay put while I photo his feet. Lol!

[Angela&Shalamar]

Should be o.k., to do it now. I'm assuming your quarantining so I'd wash up after handling. Make sure you provide perches of different types and diameters that will help limit the number of nail trims too

[Harley2013]

I am VERY nervous about doing this. I have done it with Lovebirds in the past, but they were hand tame and not so fragile. Wish me luck!

[ac12]

Get a toothpick and practice cutting off a 1/16" or 1/8" piece to practice.
I hold the bird like I would hold it to band it.
Then I use my thumb and whatever finger is free to "try" to hold the leg.
I also use a magnifier, as my middle age eyes can't see details very well, and I don't want to cut into the quick.

Because of the curve of the toe and the curve of the claw, I found it tricky to get the claw into the jaws of the clipper.
If they don't wrap their feet around your finger, they will sometime close their feet like a fist. Then you have to wait for them to relax so you can get hold of the toe and claw.
You have to also be careful to only clip the claw you are intending to clip. I find it all to easy to accidentally to get two toes mixed up, but that is more a problem with the small birds than my wife's canary.

And yes you MUST clip the claws if it gets too long. I had a few birds get caught in the cage, because of overgrow claws. One died and another lost 2 claws, I think from panicking and ripping the claws out of its toes, to get free.

Some birds don't have this problem. They seem to wear down their claws. I use them a somewhat of a reference to determine when a claw it too long. I just look at the bird and see what the claw looks like, and at a certain point I recognize that the claw is too long and needs to be clipped. But if a claw is curling on itself, then definitely it is way overgrown.

One thing that I learned the hard way.
You NEED a GOOD clipper.
I have a couple cheap nail clippers and they cannot cut the small finch claws clean. I have to press hard to get that last bit of claw cut. A LaCross clipper that I have only one of, and can't find any more, cuts easily right through. The larger canary claw should not give you that problem. But be aware that if the clipper does not clip off the claw, you may have to squeeze harder to get the jaws to cut all the way through.

Normally I clip the claws when I receive the bird. I figure that I am handling it anyway, I might as well do all the handling stuff at the same time; banding, clipping claw, trimming the beak if needed, mite spray, SCATT.

[Harley2013]

Well....I did it! I was able to catch him with a little challenge, but did, clipped his nails, although I did use magnifying eye glasses, I'm not sure I clipped enough though, they still look they could have used more. I was a little hesitant to clip too much as this was my first time with him. But I guess the first initial scare is over with. How often should I clip them? Or is it dependent on each individual bird and circumstances?

[Colt]

Yay for your first nail trim. I would check his nails periodically but there won't be a "set" time exactly when his nails need to be trimmed. Some bird's (individuals and species) nails grow faster than others. Providing multiple perches with different diameters and textures allows them to naturally wear down some but in cages we often have to trim.