Sharp Toe Nails

[xxx_mel_xxx]

Hi there,

My little bird has really sharp and rather long toe nails. I've only had him a week now - he's 12 weeks old. Last night his toe nail got caught in his rope toy. I'm wondering whether i need to clip his toe nails, what is the normal way to maintain your birds nails? I do have different perches in his cage which i bought from a pet shop but they don't seem to be doing any good.... I don't want to hurt his/her (I think it's a he) little feet.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[U.S Marine]

Theres more then one option ok, but i'll tell you a few.
You can buy certain perchs from the store that sand down
the nails. You can also take the bird to a pet store that clips
nails, i am sure they do it free of charge just provide your bird.

[Shane7285]

Hi Mel

I have the same problem as you. I phoned my local pet shop, and they were more than happy to cut his nails down. I still haven't taken him down though, cause they said they would talk to me about certain perches you can buy, so they are going to try and sell me those 'sand paper' perches. I looked into these perches, and couldn't find anyone saying they were good for the birds. Apparently it hurts their feet when they are on them.

Someone can correct me on this if I'm wrong.

Regards

Shane

[xxx_mel_xxx]

Hmmm thanks guys.... I might try the pet shop I bought him from see what they can do. Yes i would be interested to hear what others think about those sand paper perches because it probably would hurt their little feet. Thanks heaps for your help too. It's funny the little things that pop up and only being new to Indian Ringnecks it's a whole big fun learning curve!

[pinkdevil]

I have never owned a sandpaper perch but I have seem photos of the damage they can cause if the bird paces up and down the perch, (not a pretty sight).

I have found with my birds that the babies do tend to have sharper nails than the adult or older birds.

You can provide natural, (safe bird wood), tree branches, I find that helps a fair bit.

I have not clipped my birds nails and they seem to wear themselves down so they are less needle like over time.

Good luck.

[Shane7285]

hi pinkdevil,

what natural wood perches do you use to help keep the nails down?

Regards

Shane

[xx_sheena_xx]

I dont have sand paper perches but iv got something called a calcium perch.
It helps with their toe nails and it doesnt hurt them.

[bec]

o use the calcium perches & natural wood
the wood i use is gum trees & bottle brush
there is a list some where here of safe trees to use

[U.S Marine]

maybe pink devil is right. with my bird the nails are not a bother, and i never trim them.

[pinkdevil]

I also use mostly gum branches and sometimes bottlebrush.
Just make sure that it has not been sprayed with anything, ie:- council spraying etc.

Here is a safe wood link