Budgie nail trimming?

Question

can i trim my budgies nails with a nail file??

i have like 7 birds and its hard to trim them manually and those cement perches are expensive.

Answer 1

Several points: Artificial perches with concrete or sandpaper on them are not a good idea, in fact any hard manufactured perch such as dowelling is likely to lead to feet disorders in any pet bird. A birds feet need various different diameter perches to settle upon to try and replicate the variety of branches a wild bird gets in nature. Try and replace them with natural perches, fruit tree, willow and native timbers are best. The birds will naturally chew them which will help keep their beaks in trim as well so you get a double bonus.

To trim the claws, get a proper pair of clippers from the chemist/ pharmacy dept., when cutting the claw you do not want the claw to slip or slide which is what happens with ordinary scissors. A nail file if not a good idea. Hold the bird gently but firmly, then hold the claw up against good light. You will normally be able to see the vein inside the claw and therefore see how much claw ( the equivalent of our nails ), that can be safely trimmed. If in doubt get some one who knows to show you how its done. If you have the misfortune to cut too far and it bleeds, dab the bleeding end in talcum powder, it will normally stop fairly quickly. Incidentally, clipping and getting a drop of blood from a claw is a recognised way of taking a blood sample from a bird if ever it is needed.

Answer 2

i agree with the last answer, but hears a tip,if you put a teatowle around the back of your bird or something smaller as it a budgie so it wraps around it sides to keep it wings still ,rest the bird in your lap so the head is at your knee end facing upwards, this way u have good control of your bird, then gently clip your birds nails, i use toe nail clippers on my parrot they work just fine . just keep calm, hope this helps

Answer 3

Yes it's possible, I know people do it with parrots and I recall doing it with my 'tiels on a few occasions to smooth the edges of the nails after a trim.