Self Beak and Nail Trimming

PrettyInInk87 · Sep 8, 2011

How many of you trim your own parrots beaks and nails?

I noticed Apples beak was beginning to feel sharp while he nibbled on my fingers (he loves that even though I don't) so I grabbed my nail file and filed his beak a tiny bit. Just a few strokes enough to round it out a bit. He was okay with it and actually wanted to bite and nibble on the nail file, lol! His nails are super sharp but I choose not to trim those yet since his wings are clipped, I want him to be able to grab onto things easily.

TonyCagg · Sep 8, 2011

I do Nic Nic's nails myself.

I use a file and just try to keep the sharp points off...just so the do not pierce the skin on my arm or hands.

I have actually seen him sharpen his own nails though, shaving them down with his beak to super sharp points. Seems to do this mostly after he eats messy foods which get in his toe nails.

Never had to worry about his beak, he does a good job of keeping that trimmed naturally.

PrettyInInk87 · Sep 8, 2011

TonyCagg said:
I do Nic Nic's nails myself.

I use a file and just try to keep the sharp points off...just so the do not pierce the skin on my arm or hands.

I have actually seen him sharpen his own nails though, shaving them down with his beak to super sharp points. Seems to do this mostly after he eats messy foods which get in his toe nails.

Never had to worry about his beak, he does a good job of keeping that trimmed naturally.

My little guy loves to chew on anything and everything so it's not overgrown or anything, just was a bit pointed. I was thinking of getting him one of those beak trimming rocks? The ones they can chew on and trim their beaks themselves.

upcgirl · Sep 8, 2011

don't get the rocks... my vet says not to use any mineral blocks, cuttle bones, or rocks because it actually depletes them of calcium.

barw33zy · Sep 14, 2011

I though cuttle bone was a source or calcium. I know cuttle bone is made of calcium carbonate, but I am neither and chemist nor an avian vet.

Riio · Sep 14, 2011

I trim Rio's nails, just the very tip so they are not so sharp. I just use my "baby" nail clippers, her beak seems ok. I would probably do just what you did with the nail file if needed.

JensFlock · Sep 14, 2011

I trim my boys' nails, but I would never attempt to trim the beaks. They have never needed a beak trimming though.
If your bird needs a beak trimming, I would get a vet to do it.

MominNC · Sep 14, 2011

Holly's nails were done by the vet. I wasn't sure precisely how to hold and trim. Now I'm educated having watched. Next time a nail trimming is needed I'll do it myself and save a trip. She keeps her beak filed on her own with rubbing it on the cage after a meal. I have several perch styles from smooth wood up to sanded which she scrapes her beak on. In the cage is a cuttle bone she picks up and tosses, also has a mineral pineapple she shreds. The day I tried her on yogurt, she didn't like, she stepped off on my head to clean beak in my hair. She's really a brat I love her dearly.

PrettyInInk87 · Sep 15, 2011

I feel totally comfortable with trimming his beak and nails. His nails are SUPER sharp but the reason I have not trimmed them is so that it's easy for him to grab on to stuff since his wings are clipped.

Self Beak and Nail Trimming

PrettyInInk87

New member

TonyCagg

New member

PrettyInInk87

New member

upcgirl

New member

barw33zy

Member

Riio

New member

JensFlock

New member

MominNC

New member

PrettyInInk87

New member

Fostering parrots

How do you START teaching your bird tricks?

Most Reactions

Similar threads

Latest posts