Aussie Finch Forum

Do you need to do it for any of your birds?
If yes, what do you use to accomplish it, and what species of finches do you find require it most often.

I use nail clippers, tried using nail scissors to start with but found them to be awkward cos the birds never keep their legs still long enough.
For me the species that require it most are the white headed nuns, about every second month

I just use normal clippers that you would use on yourself , I find them quick and easy . My Goulds need it 3 or 4 times a year and they are quite long when I do them . Luckily they have a light nail and you can see the quick which makes it easy.

I do it with normal nail clippers, like deb.

My Tri Nuns need it the most, actually today would be a good time...

I need to do my redbrows looked at them and theyve got flo jo style nails!!! So do my plums.

Ben

Why can't you simulate nature? How would they get their nails 'trmmed' in the wild?

If your birds are in planted aviaries they rarely have problems.The Nun family are prime examples,put them in an aviary with long grass or Bamboo and their legs a shiny and clean and normal nail length.In a cage or aviary with just perches their legs become scalie and nails grow too long.
Using nail clippers and cutting before the vien is quite easy.Even if you cut too close to the vien it is not too much of a problem.
Infact I actually do that to collect blood for DNA sexing. The bleeding stops quickly and the bird doesn't have any problems.

Do you find that you need to use something (e.g. cornflour) to help stop the bleeding?

Idaelly a syptic ( i think ) stick is the go for nail bleeds but good old cornflour works just as well . I use it on the quarrions for broken feathers that bleed. Never had to use it in nails ...touch wood

My birds must be tough or neglected because they get no treatment at all.Infact the amount of blood
from the open claw is minimal even for the size of the bird.
I simply nip the claw a tiny drop of blood apears it is dabbed onto the DNA strip and the bird is released without any visual effects.
Over the years using this method I have never had a loss
I can generelly do 30 in one session, by then I am starting to go cross eyed
If there was an accident and the toenail was torn out then you may need to do some minor attention.

yes no need to apply anythen to the toenail if accidently its been cut into the blood is very minnimal and quikly stops within minutes