Do you trim your birds nails yourself?

torrap

Member
Jun 10, 2013
494
4
CO, USA
Parrots
Marley-YSA (hen) -hatched 07/20/2006;
Simba-DYHA (hen)-hatched 06/23/2003
I wouldn't be able to do it without restraining them.
So, would you do it in this case or not?
If you do it with restraining them, do they forgive you after that?....:rolleyes:
 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
I have to restrain some and some I don't. They always forgive me but not anyone else. The last time I took Willie to a vet to have it done he was friendly to the vet and went to her. That shocked me but after she was done trimming him she came to tell him to step up, Willie lounge at her and scream on top of his lungs.
 

thekarens

New member
Sep 29, 2013
4,022
3
We used to trim our grey's nails. We had made this papoose (sp) things with a piece of thin board Velcro and towel. Beau would chomp down in the towel while we did it, but he was always fine when we were done. I have someone else do Sammie because it's just easier and less stressful for me.
 

Megapixel

Banned
Banned
Nov 17, 2013
194
0
Minnesota, USA
Parrots
Senegal, Senegal, Black Capped Conure, Green-cheek Conure, Blue Fronted Amazon
I've been trimming bird nails myself for as long as I've had birds - over 20 years.
My BFA is, by far, the most difficult and I do have to towel him to do it, but even immediately after it's done he doesn't distrust me for it.
 

KimKim

New member
May 5, 2013
243
0
Parrots
CAG
I haven't had to have my greys nails trimmed for years. I have in his cage, a corner sandy perch, and that does the job. He also keeps his beak nice and smooth on it also.
 

tab_xo

Active member
Aug 9, 2012
3,288
1
Queensland, Australia
Parrots
Fargo- Blue and Gold Macaw
I think if you introduce the nail clippers to them slowly you shouldn't have to restrain them?


Fargo was petrified when i first showed him the doggy nail clippers, he tried to get away from them!

So i slowly fed him around it, and then would just place near his feet, and just slowly work with him, one nail.. Give him a break..


Now he is absolutely perfect with them :D

He sits on the back of my chair, and just places his foot in my hand, and i can do each nail, and he doesn't move a muscle, just sits there perfectly..

and then i just file them down with a rough nail file and he is good to go!! :)
 

goalerjones

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2011
1,390
30
Parrots
Hahn's macaw, RIP George, Jenday Conure
Nope. I take Hahnzel to my vets every 6 weeks or so for grooming. $25 for beak, nails and feathers if needed.
 

BirdyMomma

New member
Aug 4, 2013
626
1
Long Beach, NY
Parrots
Lilac Crowned Amazon (Bacci- Forever on my shoulder, forever in my heart.)
Yellow Collared Macaw (Loki the Monkey Bird)
Military Macaw (Wingnut)
Citron Crested Cockatoo
(Knuckles)
My birds are babies, and I've been able to get them used to me filing their nails. Once a week or so, during play time, I will hold them close against my body while I'm petting them, and slowly do one nail at a time, giving treats as I go. Sometimes I can get all 8 before they have had enough, sometimes I have to stop and try again later.
 

strudel

New member
Sep 30, 2013
1,939
Media
5
1
The vet told me to file rather than clip. I've been trying to get her used to it. She sort of lets me, a little bit. I think she'll get used to it.
 

bostjan

New member
Apr 28, 2012
24
0
Vermont
Parrots
Spanky - Congo African Grey
Azu - Turquoise Green Cheek Conure
Sherbert - Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
Bonbon - Cinnamon Green Cheek Conure
Luna - Mealy Amazon
7 Baby GCC's and counting
I only clip the tiniest bit of my CAG's nails with nail clippers. The other birds don't really need it. All of our birds have rough perches, but they rarely ever walk on them unless they need to chew on something.
 

MomtoPercy

New member
Nov 15, 2013
1,816
Media
1
1
South Africa
Parrots
Percy, a 5yo BFA & Jack, a 8yo Budgie
My baby really needs a trim but thus far he's very scared of the clipper and the file. I'm taking him to the vet on Friday and then I will have time to slowly get him used to the tools of the trade.
 

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