Long nailed Popcorn!!

[PennyBleepblop]

:S I have a canary who has really long nails that make it hard for him to walk around and stand on his perch. But he is SO SO skittish and won't let me grab him to cut his nails. I don't want to give him a heart attack but i know he is uncomfortable with his nails, any suggestions? anything would be appreciated, poor popcorn needs help.
~~ sorry i posted about a canary on a budgie website, but i figure it is a general bird type of question and i thought someone might be able to help ~~:S

[Kelly27]

I used to have the same problem with my canary Krystal. He would find it hard to move around as he had REALLY long nails.
When you cut a canary nails, you have to be really careful where you cut. There is a main vein in their nails, which if cut the canary will die from bleeding to death.
If you are unsure of cutting Popcorn's nails yourself then the best thing to do is have your local vet cut his nails. Hope this helps.
Kelly
xXx :) ;)

[Dinky]

There are rough perches available. Some with sand and calcium stuff bonded on them. I use these along with regular perches and haven't had a problem with birds nails. If you really MUST cut them, just trim the ends the first time. You can see the blood vein in the nail. Don't cut into that. I always use a regular finger nail clipper for humans. It's easy to control how much to cut. For catching him, try the darkened room and a light towel to get him. The dark is calming. Also you can wet them with a spray bottle so they can't fly well. Good luck.

[Joey]

Yes you could by this sand paper at a local petstore and you stick it onto the perch...slowly the nails file down.This paper is at PetsMart I dont know where you live butThere are many Petsmarts throughout the states:
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5876/lg9252464953yv.th.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lg9252464953yv.jpg)
8 in 1® Sanded Perch Covers
$2.69
Product Information:
Keeps nails clean and trim.

Large size is for parrots, cockatiels, and other large cage birds. Measures 9" L and fits 3/4" diameter perches, comes 4 per pack.

Small size is for parakeets, canaries, lovebirds, and other small cage birds. Measures 7" L and fits 1/2" diameter perches, comes 6 per pack.

[Budgiekin]

I really don't like those sandpaper perch covers; they really do nothing to keep the nails trimmed since it is the bottom of the foot that is in contact with the perch anyway. Imagine yourself standing barefeet on sandpaper..not a nice feeling. Eventually it can get irritating and potentially lead to an infection of your budgie's feet. I would really not advocate getting those. The best way to deal with long nails is to clip them yourself or have them clipped by someone who is comfortable doing it.

[Joey]

I think it safer and the nails file down when the budgie flys onto or off the perch.I wouldnt like standing on sand paper but would you rather have an irritation to your feet or bleed to death by someone inexperienced?Canaries nails are quiet small...:) Its up to you

[ETAHoffman]

Penny, clipping the bird's claws is a very easy task. Be very gentle and talk in a low soothing voice while handling the bird and you should have no trouble. It will calm back down when you are through and return it to the cage.

Use a regular nail clipper, as Dinky suggested. Hold the bird in your left hand, upside down (on her back) and, as you enclose the bird with your fingers, you can hold individual toes between your thumb and forefinger. (Being upside down disorients the birds and they are quite calm that way.) Hold the claw with a light behind it so you can see the vein. Just don't clip into the vein area and you should be ok. It is a bit unnerving the first time you do it but it IS quite easy.

The sandpaper perch covers work if the bird's claws are already rather short. It would take forever for long claws to wear down and, by that time, the pads of the poor little bird's feet would probably be worn away. Seriously.

[Joey]

Im sorry maybe you shouldnt use sand paper I read on the internet "Never use sand-paper covered perches, because they can severely damage birds' feet."Sorry Budgiekin for going against you:(

[Budgiekin]

Hi Joey..don't worry about it. It's all good! It's okay to have differing opinions on things. ;)

[Joey]

Ok.....I was thinking of buying that sandpaper stuff for my birds but now......no:o

[avril]

By using the sandpaper on your perches your birds can develop Bumblefoot which is not very pleasant .
Have a look at this site and it will explain it all to you

http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/Diseases/bumblefoot.htm

[Kelly27]

I've heard about Bumblefoot... When Green was ill, i went on the internet and thought she had Bumblefoot but it was Arthritis. Has anyone here ever had a bird suffer from Bumblefoot?
Kelly
xXx :)

[Dinky]

Hey! The perches I was talking about are NOT sand paper! They are a bonded, somewhat rough surface. I get them from our local pet supply, they are quite large and ship world wide. If any one is interested, just look up www.drsfosterandsmith.com This is a fantastic pet supply place with stuff for ALL pets. Check 'em out. I usually don't recommend certain suppliers, but I feel they are "worthy"

[avril]

I don't think I would like to stand on seashells or gypsum cement and sand as these conditioning perches are made of it could lead to all kind of foot problems.
Natural perches are best for your budgies as their feet are very sensitive.

This is a personal opinion and not meant to as a critisism of anybodies caring for their budgies.
I have seen many crippled birds in the forty years of breeding due to poor perches so this is not menant to offend anyone

[Dinky]

No offense taken. I use only one small rough perch and all the rest are natural perches and rope perches. I would never offer only rough perches. That would just be mean. I think all types should be offered...then it doesn't cause problems. They choose which they like. They wouldn't use it if they didn't like it!

[Tracie H]

We use a variety of perches, that way they can choose where they feel most comfortable. They seem to like the rougher perches sometimes for grooming their beaks. I would never have all rough surfaces for them to rest on and be sure to offer enough smooth surfaces that no single bird is forced to perch uncomfortably.