Cockatiel Nail cutting

Question

I've had my cockatiels for about a year and half now and I've always gone to the vet for nail cutting and checkups and what not. But of course that can get expensive. Really all i need is to get their nails clipped. My birds are not used to being held by hand, they squirm a lot. So I'm wondering if you have TIPS on how i should go about clipping their nails, or should I just stick to the vet visits?

Answer 1

Vets can get pretty expensive. You can go to the pet store and there are purches you can get that help keep your birds nail trimmed. The cost alot but last forever and help alot. They also keep your birds beak trimmed too.

Answer 2

if you do go to the vet ask if you can watch how he dose it so you can do it by your self

and for tips go to youtube and write clipping cocktails nail's and they will show you how

hope i help

hers the web site http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=MysOjqkDaq...

Answer 3

i keep sandpaper perch covers on all my perchs and that cuts down on clipping my birds nails. but when i do have to clip there nails i purchased a pair of claw clippers, i wrap them in a towel and have someone else hold them. have someone hold them on there back, belly up and use the claw clippers to just take the tips of the nail off.

Answer 4

wrap the bird in a towel and hold it tightly enough so it cannot move and hurt itself. only clip the very tip of the nail, as is you cot to shot it will bleed. keep corn starch handy to put on the nail if you cause it to bleed. this will make it clot and stop the bleeding more quickly.

Answer 5

Place your palm on the cockatiel's back. Place your index finger and middle finger on each cheek, so the head cannot turn to bite. Do not constrict the chest/stomach in any way, or the bird cannot breathe! Flip your cockatiel over. With your pinky and thumb (or you can have a person help you by holding the foot), hold onto the foot you will be trimming the nails from (it takes some manipulating until you are comfortable trimming). Only trim off the pointy tips; have styptic powder or cornstarch ready to place the nail in should it bleed anyhow (it shouldn't if done correctly). If you are afraid you will be bitten, you can use a small towel to hold the cockatiel, but again, never constrict the chest! Your birds will be squirmy, they are prey animals who hate being confined. The only other way you can trim the nails is to train your birds to sit on a perch while you take each of their feet in your hands to do it. This is easier with the larger birds, however. I suggest you get somebody to help you the first few times you trim them. It will be awkward and time-consuming at first, but soon you will get the hang of it, and it will become second nature. Your cockatiels will also get used to being handled in this manner and will squirm less. They may never like the experience, but they will come to tolerate it. You can invest in a few of those cement perches for their cage(s), just make sure they are not the only type of perch in there, as tiels have sensitive feet; cement perches may lengthen the time between the trims, but they're not a substitute for proper trimming.