timming nails

[Kakariki]

Doug and I trim our birds nails when needed and it has not been a problem. However, I noticed my budgie pixie seems to have one split nail ! it is just a wee sliver of the nail that is split and I was hoping for some advice on how to trim it so it will grow in normally again. ( we have not attempted it yet, not until I get some advice)

[Wolf]

The method that you use may be the cause of the split nail, so if you use clippers stop using them and try using an emory board instead for trimming nails.

[Kakariki]

we have used guillotine clippers. It has been a long while since we've had to clip Pixie. I don't know if we did it or if he got it caught on somethingl Emery board woud take a long time but we can do that if that is what he needsl

[liz]

I used an emery board with my Fancy cat when she was just a kitten. Any time I picked up an emery board she wanted her nails done. Myrtle is so fascinated with it that she watches every stroke. Of course I have to put it away or she will chunk it up.
Rambo has arthritis in his feet so he is a little more difficult.

[Wolf]

If you just keep an emory board nearby and do a few strokes each time, like a game it won't be long before you have it done. It is also possible that it split naturally or got caught on something.
I have not had to trim the nails on any of my birds in the three years that I have had them. Not even on Harley, my male budgie with liver disease, although I do have to trim his beak regularly so that he can eat normally.

[Pajarita]

Emery board is great but if the nail is split, it can get snagged somewhere and cause even more damage (the bird will pull and pull to get it loose and it can pull the whole nail off) so, if I were you, I would just cut it.

[Wolf]

I guess that I should have been more specific and said to use the emery board after removing the split off portion of the nail and then for maintenance of the trim.

[Kakariki]

Great we will do this tonight when Doug is home. For the last couple of days he has been in a cage where there is nothing to get his toes hooked in, except when we take him out for a cuddle, which he is still a bit shy of so we tend to keep it short. He is getting much better though and it pleases us that he accepts us calmly now, he even steps up now instead of moving away.

The cage I have was a great find on kijiji ! it is 28" deep x 37" wide x 50" tall, not counting the legs. It was only 100 dollars and in really good shape ! Kijiji can be good.