Cutting nails

[Elaihr]

Hi,

I'm just wondering how you guys deal with your parrot's nails. My Penny has only had her nails cut once in her life (before I got her), but she's always been provided with real branches from the great outdoors, alongside with those cement-lookalikes (got no clue what they're called in English, they're not actually made from cement but they were made to file the nails lightly without runing the parrot's feet). It seems to me like these things put together with the fact that she's climbing and walking on a lot of different surfaces are keeping her nails (and beak, for that matter) in a pretty good shape, with no interference from me and a nail clipper. Do you guys think I should get her nails cut anyway? They're not long and she can walk and climb perfectly well as it is. I've had budgies before whose nails grew too long, those had to be cut. I do think I can tell the difference, but.. I'm pretty much just wondering if you have to cut a parrot's nails regardless, or if it is possible at all that this kind of solves itself if the bird is provided with good branches and activities.

Thanks!

Regards, Sara & Penny

[Harpmaker]

Hello Sara and Penny!

As I see it, there are two reasons to cut a parrot's talons. One is for their own safety if they get caught on things. The other is for your safety and comfort if the talons dig into you when your bird is perched on you. If neither is a problem, I can't think of a reason to do it (after all, no one does it in the wild).


One caution, though. The concrete perches that are rough all the way around are known to cause foot problems such as bumblefoot. Stick with the ones that are smooth on the top and bottom, and rough on the sides to minimize the risk-your comments imply that's what you have, but I bring it up for the bird's sake.

[Pajarita]

I agree 100%! Personally, I never cut my birds' claws. My female Senegal has claws like little sharp needles and, when she grabs my face (she likes to grab my face and turn it toward hers), they do scratch a bit - and one of my cockatoos cannot fly at all so, when he hangs on to your hand, he hangs on for dear life and let me tell you that those claws make holes in your flesh! But my birds live cage-free and need their claws to climb, land, etc so I don't cut them - and they never grow very long either.

This is the type of perch that Harpmaker was recommending and the same kind I use (I also use natural branches with bark on them): http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Bird-Perc ... rches.aspx

[GreenWing]

I get Chance's nails trimmed very seldomly, and only slightly, and it is done by professionals. African Greys are clumsy and need good gripping ability, but her nails have gotten so long and sharp that it hurts when I handle her. A very slight trimming is enough.

[Elaihr]

That is the kind of perch I meant, thank you! What would you call them? Come to think of it I don't even think there's a name for it in Swedish even... Oh well. Thanks for your replies, I'll keep giving her natural branches plus those half-cementish-ones or whatever I should call them, and let those keep her nails in shape If they ever become a problem to her, I'll take her to a vet to cut them.

[Pajarita]

Just make sure the cement perch is not her roosting one or she could get bumblefoot from it.