Perjo first nail and beak grooming

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
OMG, did she throw a fit when the vet took her out of the cage in a towel. I have never heard the noises and growls she made. Felt so bad for her. Everything went fine, she panted afterward for 5 minutes and was back to herself before we left. But I'm curious, is this how they act all the time for such an event? Will she deal with it better as she gets groomed twice a year moving forward?

This makes me want to Dremel her nails myself. While I know she would fight me I don't think she would freak out like she did for the vet.

Thoughts?
 

Notdumasilook

New member
Jul 28, 2015
539
6
Charlotte, NC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon, Cookie..Sun Conure..lil Booger (RIP) Have owned Parakeets, lovebirds, cockatiels, cockatoos, pocket parrot, and quakers.
Don't bet on it. I trim my birds nails with the help of my wife... and I wish I had more help!!. Both my BFA and SC.. Now the lil SC being so tiny is harder than the Amazon.. but the Amazon is much harder to handle.. and that's after having him for 30 years... in a friendly trusting companionship. And nails is hard enuff.. I will not attempt a beak trim.. there is a bit of an art to that or you end up making a mess or worse.. hurting your bird.
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
I'd love to know how to do beaks myself. My avian vet refuses to do it. He thinks that unless they are overgrown to an abnormal length or have a deformity that makes it necessary, it doesn't need to be done. I tend to disagree (as blood drips down my hand).

I watch how they do beaks at the bird store and file by hand. They somehow tuck the upper beak inside the lower beak (like an underbite) and hold it closed as they file the bottom mandible. I don't feel comfortable trying that myself without someone who knows what they're doing showing me how it's done. I hesitate to bring my birds to the store where the public brings their birds, for fear of picking up a disease. I know, call me paranoid. Anyway, I tried to file just the tip of Robin's beak, and 2seconds later he bit the file hard and wouldn't let go.. I gave up. I don't know how to do it!
 

Notdumasilook

New member
Jul 28, 2015
539
6
Charlotte, NC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon, Cookie..Sun Conure..lil Booger (RIP) Have owned Parakeets, lovebirds, cockatiels, cockatoos, pocket parrot, and quakers.
I agree with your vet.. you don't trim beaks to stop them from biting you.. only trim overgrown or deformed beaks.
I will trim nails because those sharp needle points make a mess of wifeys legs and shoulder... plus they can get feet hung in couch cover, etc.. so its a safety issue. Great thing is neither of my birds hold a grudge.. Protest?? yes they will.. but as soon as Im done restraining them I can plop em on my shoulder and get some birdie sugar.
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
I guess that was my poor attempt at sarcasm. While I realize you don't "trim beaks to stop them from biting"... It's sure nice to get rid of that jagged edge and extra long point that happens on some birds.

DRB, I've seen enough birds getting groomed, and it's very common that they have a reaction to it like Perjo does.
 
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DRB

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
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My vet told me the only reason for grooming nails and beak is to eliminate sharp points and excessive overgrowth that tends to be extreme in nature. No other reason he said.

I'll attempt the nails at some point, I'll never try the beak myself.
 

LeaKP

Well-known member
Aug 11, 2014
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South Africa
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Congo African Grey
I have a small pet nail trimmer. A little disk of sorts spins around in it and there's a hole to insert nails for trimming. Super gentle. Nigel inspects it with his beak himself, a bit funny and day by day I do a toe. He's getting used to it, not so much stress.
 

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