trim nails at bird shop?

[LilosMom]

I know most of you dont recommand bringing the grey to visit the brid shop or similar places. but what about taking him there to trim his nails beak or for some of you.. to clip his wings?

Is it safe or its still a risk for the bird to get diseas? and how do you deal with that? or prevent that?

[Dave007]

I only think at the *disease * issue would be physical damage to the bird.

When going to a pet shop to have wing clipping done, there's usually one main method of wing clipping that's done and that applies to all species of birds. Different species require different styles of clipping.

Some pet shops do know the difference in clipping styles but so many others don't and when it's all done, it's the bird that might suffer the most by either an incorrect clipping or an extreme clipping and it can't be undone. After incorrect wing clipping, the bird takes a very long time in growing back feathers that were incorrectly done simply because those certain feathers won't molt out and regrow at the same time. It may take as long as a year. An avian vet knows which clip is proper for each species and slight variations to that clip can be done by simply talking to the vet. I believe a vet is the better way to go. Many, many people have had their birds done at pet shops and walked away very dissatisfied. Also, when many people have gone to purchase the bird, that bird has already be done incorrectly but it's very hard to spot because the bird is caged to be on display.

Nails are a different thing---you can go to a vet to have them done but most of the time, the vet will show you what to do so you can do the nail clipping. Clipping nails is no big deal.

Beaks getting done should be by a vet because beaks can have malfiormations in them and it's best that a vet handle something so sensitive.<br><br>Post edited by: Dave007, at: 2009/02/09 19:45

[Char]

The pet store where I bought my bird willl do nail or wing clipping for only $5. Tempting but I don't want to take my bird in where they are back there with the same equipment and supplies that every Tom, Dick and Harry bird has been exposed to.

 

I discussed this with the store owner and he said "but our birds are tested and vaccinated. I said yeah but all the birds that come through here are not. Besides some of the people working in the store are just teenagers. I don't want them handling my baby.

[BaxtersMom]

There are some good points brought up by Dave & Char. None that I had really given much thought to. I have 4 birds and have had all 4 nails trimmed and 2 of the birds beak without any issues. They go for nail trims about every 3 or 4 months. It is a family owned business since the 50's and only family members work there and take care of the birds. I have not had any problems.

 

When we first got our amazon several months ago he was pretty wild and we did get his wings trimmed there, mainly for his safety, our other birds are not clipped, but I asked a bunch of questions about wing clipping because I really don't like to have it done and they answered all my questions and gave me more info on top of it. I felt they were very knowledgable and I thought they did a great job on the wing clip and it was done by a 16-18 year old girl. I felt ok with that because she has been raised with birds and working the store for a long time.

 

I do trust the bird store I take them too but I will be moving soon and will think twice next time or ask a lot more questions.

 

Main reason I like the bird pet store is because the are inexpensive and I just don't want to pay for a vet visit just for a nail trim. :unsure: Do vets charge for a full visit for only a nail or beak trim? If they don't charge much then I would prefer to go to a vet but don't want to pay full office visit for nail trims. Anybody know?