Bird Care

NAILS  

If you are unsure of how to do a nail or wing trim take your bird to an avian vet and let them do this. Some pet stores also offer this service.

Keeping a bird's nails in good condition is extremely important. Nails help a bird perch. climb, hold food, preen and even mate. When cutting a birds nails you must know the proper equipment to use. A nail clipper too large can sever a toe. Clippers too small may cause unnecessary pain because  they do not work properly.

It is also important that you have someone who knows how to properly restrain your bird so they won't injure themselves nor will they be able to bite you or the one holding them.

Before you start to cut your bird's nails you need to make sure that you have all the equipment ready first. The equipment you need is not only the instrument you are using to cut the nails, but flour, cornstarch or something else to stop the bleeding if you cut into the quick.

When cutting the nails you do not want to cut into the quick since this will not only hurt but it will cause bleeding. Sometimes you can't help it and you cut slightly into the quick.  The quick is the part of the nail that contains the blood supply. if your bird's nails are too long it is best to have an avian veterinarian cut the nails. Nails that are too long bleed easier. The avian veterinarian is better equipped to deal with nails such as these.

Some birds have dark nails and you can't see the quick while others have light colored nails and you could see the blood supply in these.