Cutting toe nails

[iaos]

Hi,

One or two of the gouldians are in need of a toe nail trim.

I was planning to do it with just ordinary nail clippers. Should this be okay?

I know that i need to cut before the blood line, but should i cut down on the nail or across it or does it not really matter?

Cheers
Ian

[jusdeb]

I have a pair of normal human type nail clippers that I dunk in boiling water between cutting birds nails ...new ones are nice and sharp and do a good job.

[iaos]

Deb, do you cut down on the nails when you do it?

[ray_223]

I bought a small pair of pet scissors from the pet shop when trimming my pet lorkeets nails.
They have a small cut in the blade where the nails go - this is supposed to put more even pressure on the nail (as bird nails are tubular).

With finch nails being so small - I'd probably just use the clippers - but maybe don't trim down as far as you normally would - 3 to 4 mm extra.
In an aviary situation that would be fine.

If you think you maye need to trim regularly pick up a small pair of pet scissors from a pet shop.

[spanna]

iaos, if i had to do it i'd say cut from the side... if you know what i mean. basically try and leave a bit of a sharp point like there would be naturally.

[jusdeb]

from the side so I can still see the nail from above ..I have made them bleed on occasion so have corn flour on stand by ...pack it onto the nail and it makes a sorta scab which stops the bleeding .