Chewing nails

Frumpydumple

New member
Apr 21, 2013
572
2
Durham, UK.
Parrots
My birds: Skyler/Sky, violet Indian Ringneck. Mother's birds: Norman, African Grey and Mildred, Blue Crowned Conure.
Nova has been chewing his nails randomly. He just sits chewing them. They are slightly long, but I don't think they're causing him any discomfit. I think he is chewing them because he is nervous.

Will he stop chewing them when he's more confident?

Would trimming them help at all?
 

Dinosrawr

New member
Aug 15, 2013
1,587
8
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Parrots
Avery, a GCC born on March 5th, 2013 & Shiko, a blue IRN born on February 25th, 2014
I find Avery chews her nails when they have become a bit too long for her. After I trim them, she doesn't touch them. It's possible it's a nervous habit, but I think he probably just needs the tips cut off so he feels a bit more comfortable walking around. It wouldn't hurt to trim them and then see if he still continuously chews them just to try and gauge what it is he's trying to accomplish.
 
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Frumpydumple

Frumpydumple

New member
Apr 21, 2013
572
2
Durham, UK.
Parrots
My birds: Skyler/Sky, violet Indian Ringneck. Mother's birds: Norman, African Grey and Mildred, Blue Crowned Conure.
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  • Thread starter
  • #3
I find Avery chews her nails when they have become a bit too long for her. After I trim them, she doesn't touch them. It's possible it's a nervous habit, but I think he probably just needs the tips cut off so he feels a bit more comfortable walking around. It wouldn't hurt to trim them and then see if he still continuously chews them just to try and gauge what it is he's trying to accomplish.

Thanks.

I didn't think they would be bothering him, but maybe they are.

I just didn't want to towel him after he's been making progress. :(
 

Dinosrawr

New member
Aug 15, 2013
1,587
8
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Parrots
Avery, a GCC born on March 5th, 2013 & Shiko, a blue IRN born on February 25th, 2014
If you don't want to be the one to towel him, I would suggest taking him in to the vet - a general vet, doesn't have to be Avian, can clip their nails quite easily. I actually started clipping Avery's nails and Shiko's nails myself after buying styptic just in case, and it's very easy. I just use normal nail clippers, cover them like I would with a vet, and then it's all good. They get a bit frazzled afterwards, but so long as they get a treat they seem to be fine :)

Do you think it'd be possible to take him into a dim room, have your mom towel him, then move him where it would be bright enough for you to do a quick clip? I wouldn't recommend doing it if you don't have styptic, but it is an option if you can't get him into the vet any time soon to do it.
 

Mariar

Well-known member
May 9, 2014
1,021
169
Clearwater Florida but grew up in Wisconsin
Parrots
Doolie,Yellow nape amazon(r.i.p.03/10/15)
Sissy,severe macaw(rescued on 03-16-15) chirpy,sparrow(beak less) jack,Jill,chase,fiona,finch, and tiger,sulfer crested(rescued 04/15/20
I clip my yellow Napes nails and keep both his cages clean,and he still chews on himself ..alot. He's a rescue and wasn't taken care of very well before me.im thinking a nervous thing or anxiety ..think about what makes your bird do it. What time of day,is there loud noise around ..then make changes,,maybe the air is blowing right on your bird...hope that's helpful
 

GW.Joe

New member
Nov 26, 2013
1,159
0
Southeastern PA (15 miles west of Philly in a smal
Parrots
HI Fellow Parrot Lovers! Baby Green Wing Macaw, Loving Departed Yellow-naped Amazon "Poe"
Nova has been chewing his nails randomly. He just sits chewing them. They are slightly long, but I don't think they're causing him any discomfit. I think he is chewing them because he is nervous.
Will he stop chewing them when he's more confident?
Would trimming them help at all?

As Chantal said, I would trim his nails and see if he stops
(ALSO, Make sure to have a styptic stick as recommended)
Don't cut a lot till you get the hang of what you are doing

I use a clipper that has two rounded blades that support the nail, to better cut around the nail and less likely to "splinter" it, like this one:

800443124161C.jpg


If your parrot trusts you it can be this easy:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei7kZ-kgw9M"]Clipping parrots nails - YouTube[/ame]

If not it is still easy:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIoh7eP_3FI"]How to clip a bird's nails (with help).MOD - YouTube[/ame]
 
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Frumpydumple

Frumpydumple

New member
Apr 21, 2013
572
2
Durham, UK.
Parrots
My birds: Skyler/Sky, violet Indian Ringneck. Mother's birds: Norman, African Grey and Mildred, Blue Crowned Conure.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
If you don't want to be the one to towel him, I would suggest taking him in to the vet - a general vet, doesn't have to be Avian, can clip their nails quite easily. I actually started clipping Avery's nails and Shiko's nails myself after buying styptic just in case, and it's very easy. I just use normal nail clippers, cover them like I would with a vet, and then it's all good. They get a bit frazzled afterwards, but so long as they get a treat they seem to be fine :)

Do you think it'd be possible to take him into a dim room, have your mom towel him, then move him where it would be bright enough for you to do a quick clip? I wouldn't recommend doing it if you don't have styptic, but it is an option if you can't get him into the vet any time soon to do it.

Thanks.

I always have styptic on hand, but I've never used it because I've gotten so good at clipping bird nails, I've never clipped a nail too short. My mother holds the bird, and I clip their nails.

I guess I could try a dim room. Good idea. It would only take a couple minutes anyway. :)

I could take him to a vet, but I would probably have to towel him to get him there.
 
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Frumpydumple

Frumpydumple

New member
Apr 21, 2013
572
2
Durham, UK.
Parrots
My birds: Skyler/Sky, violet Indian Ringneck. Mother's birds: Norman, African Grey and Mildred, Blue Crowned Conure.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Nova has been chewing his nails randomly. He just sits chewing them. They are slightly long, but I don't think they're causing him any discomfit. I think he is chewing them because he is nervous.
Will he stop chewing them when he's more confident?
Would trimming them help at all?

As Chantal said, I would trim his nails and see if he stops
(ALSO, Make sure to have a styptic stick as recommended)
Don't cut a lot till you get the hang of what you are doing

I use a clipper that has two rounded blades that support the nail, to better cut around the nail and less likely to "splinter" it, like this one:

800443124161C.jpg


If your parrot trusts you it can be this easy:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei7kZ-kgw9M"]Clipping parrots nails - YouTube[/ame]

If not it is still easy:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIoh7eP_3FI"]How to clip a bird's nails (with help).MOD - YouTube[/ame]

Thank you for the suggestions, but it isn't my first time clipping bird nails :) (I'm the one who always does the bird grooming at my house).

The thing that was stopping me clipping his nails is, I've always done tame birds that would get over it straight away, Nova isn't tame yet and he doesn't like hands. I don't want to make things worse with him by clipping his nails. He is already starting to trust me more, I don't want to set him back. I will probably have to do it anyway though.

Also, that second video reminds me of Merle. He's so trusting I can clip his nails while he's on his back. :)
 

GW.Joe

New member
Nov 26, 2013
1,159
0
Southeastern PA (15 miles west of Philly in a smal
Parrots
HI Fellow Parrot Lovers! Baby Green Wing Macaw, Loving Departed Yellow-naped Amazon "Poe"
Nova isn't tame yet and he doesn't like hands. I don't want to make things worse with him by clipping his nails. He is already starting to trust me more, I don't want to set him back. I will probably have to do it anyway though.

That is a valid point.... My Zon would always be "mad" at me for a few days after grooming :(


Also, that second video reminds me of Merle. He's so trusting I can clip his nails while he's on his back. :)

Isn't that a GREAT feeling, my zon was the other video :(
(but he did love me)
 

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