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| JJM |
I recently adopted a red factor canary named "Kimo" and have a question
concerning the care and maintenance of his nails. I have noticed they have
grown rather long and are curling around his perch. Any information
appreciated.
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| jmcquown |
JJM wrote:
> I recently adopted a red factor canary named "Kimo" and have a
> question concerning the care and maintenance of his nails. I have
> noticed they have grown rather long and are curling around his perch.
> Any information appreciated.
Clip them. Just the tips; a regular nail trimmer (for humans) works fine.
Keep a stypic pencil or powder handy in case you cut too close to the quick
of the nail.
Going forward, put one of those perch covers on one of the perches which has
sand/grit glued to it. As the bird grips the perch and walks around on it,
it will help keep the nails filed down. Sort of like an emery board for
birds. Notice I said only on one perch. I tend to think these covers are a
tad uncomfortable for birds in the long run; maybe I'm wrong. I'm not a
bird :)
Jill
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| oldmolly |
jmcquown wrote:
> JJM wrote:
> > I recently adopted a red factor canary named "Kimo" and have a
> > question concerning the care and maintenance of his nails. I have
> > noticed they have grown rather long and are curling around his perch.
> > Any information appreciated.
>
> Clip them. Just the tips; a regular nail trimmer (for humans) works fine.
> Keep a stypic pencil or powder handy in case you cut too close to the quick
> of the nail.
>
> Going forward, put one of those perch covers on one of the perches which has
> sand/grit glued to it.
Absolutely do *not* get one of those perch covers with sand glued to
it. The bird will only peck it to bits, plus they cause bumblefoot.
Instead go out and buy a pollys pastel perch or similar, of the correct
size. This will wear down the nails and not cause bumblefoot as there
are no grains to get stuck onto little creases and cause bumblefoot.
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| Prater |
After we first got Glacie, the breeder suggested a lava rock. Her nails
were getting sharp and painful (to us). This is a large, rather flat, rock
attached to the cage door. Glacie steps up on it to come out of her cage.
It keeps her nails trimmed quite nicely. We have never had to trim her
nails. I realize a canary isn't nearly the size of a cockatoo but the rocks
probably come in all sizes.
Toni
"oldmolly" <oldmolly@members.v21.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4013e524@news.greennet.net...
> jmcquown wrote:
>
> > JJM wrote:
> > > I recently adopted a red factor canary named "Kimo" and have a
> > > question concerning the care and maintenance of his nails. I have
> > > noticed they have grown rather long and are curling around his perch.
> > > Any information appreciated.
> >
> > Clip them. Just the tips; a regular nail trimmer (for humans) works
fine.
> > Keep a stypic pencil or powder handy in case you cut too close to the
quick
> > of the nail.
> >
> > Going forward, put one of those perch covers on one of the perches which
has
> > sand/grit glued to it.
> Absolutely do *not* get one of those perch covers with sand glued to
> it. The bird will only peck it to bits, plus they cause bumblefoot.
> Instead go out and buy a pollys pastel perch or similar, of the correct
> size. This will wear down the nails and not cause bumblefoot as there
> are no grains to get stuck onto little creases and cause bumblefoot.
>
>
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| G. Wolnik |
<< I recently adopted a red factor canary named "Kimo" and have a question
concerning the care and maintenance of his nails. I have noticed they have
grown rather long and are curling around his perch. >>
Nail trimming is part of routine canary care.
Do NOT get a sandpaper perch cover or any
other type of rough surface in a vain attempt
to avoid this task. Learn to catch the bird
and use a nail clipper to cut the excess
growth. Have someone help you hold the
bird and each toe as you do this. Make sure
the light is good and you can see up close,
get someone else to help if you do not have
good vision. Have steptic powder ready
to stop any bleeding if you cut too short.
Some pet shops will trim bird nails for a small
fee, an avian vet will do it for more money.
Since canaries can't really bite or hurt you,
this is a lot easier than trimming hookbill
nails! If you are afraid to catch and hold your
bird, then contact a club near you and ask
for them to recommend someone to help
show you how.
--
Ginger Wolnik
PacificASC@aol.com
Sunnyvale, CA USA
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