Nail trimming help

[Christina Larsen]

Amy's nails are too long. They really hurt when she's on my hand or arm. We both had a bad experience when we took her to a vet to get them trimmed last time. And there's not an avian vet nearby. I was wondering what my options are if I want to trim her nails myself? I've heard about toweling but I don't know how to teach her the towel game. She has different perches in her cage. Are there specific types that would work best to keep her beak and nails trimmed? Handling Amy has turned into a painful experience, for me anyway.

[CLB]

I use lava rock and cement perches.

[Sarasota]

This one can take some time to train if your bird is skittish. Here's a good link for you read/watch: http://www.larajoseph.com/LaraJoseph/RT_Hawk_Nail_Trim.html

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

Good luck! I have a great groomer, that they have known forever. He trimmed their feathers, when they were young, and learning, he continues to trim their beaks and nails years later, when they are now fully flighted. Nancy

[Cheshire Cat]

I trim Tui's claws myself with an ordinary nail file rather than clipping. Hope that helps! I know what you mean though about claws hurting - I've wound up with scratches on my hand where she perches and down my shoulder.

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

Sophie and Sunny trim their own nails and beaks. We have lots of different perches, cement and sand. Kiki, our Amazon, will trim and clean her feathers, but insists on her nails and beak trimmed by our " trimmer." Next week is her appointment. Nancy

[jdmjr1]

Thank you for the video link

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

My birds get trimmed every three months. Beaks and nails. Either a vet, or bird trimmer. Nancy

[Ray P]

My birds have never had their beaks trimmed and we nave one cement prech in every cage along with other types of perches.

We have had their nails trimmed when they got to long. That was a long time ago.

[Janfromboone]

I put cement perches at places that I know Tobie will frequent. There are two of them and I never have to trim nails.

[Luvparrots]

I certainly never have my parrots' beaks trimmed and they keep their own claws trimmed with cement perches and just being active all day. A cement perch is a good thing to have for Amy.

[katana600]

Both of ours have the cement perches for wearing down their nails and we haven't trimmed their nails. It took a little time to get started once our vet recommended the perches and we had to experiment with where to put them. Java is a dipper so I put her dry food away from the water so she has to climb over the cement perch between them and that was the magic spot for her. Gilbert has a higher cement perch where he perches during the day but he doesn't sleep on that one. It does take a little time and energy to figure it out but after the first vet visit where the tech did their nail clipping with much drama from Java in particular, Dr. Jason said it would be a whole lot easier on all involved to let them handle their own grooming with the cement perches.

[FreyaRuRu]

The cement perch is a great idea! Right now we towel Freya and clip them when they get too sharp. Which she is fine with as the breeder use to towel her to get them use to it for vet visits ect. I have realized our breeder was amazing with the things she taught Freya (like she came pretty much already doing step up).