Opinion Poll

[BIRDSITTER]

HI Everyone How many of you think bird owners should learn how to clip their birds wings & nails and how many think they should go to a professional like a vet or pet store?

[magdalena]

I've always done it myself. With Zooo I am letting her flight feathers grow in (or trying she keeps popping them out with fly downs as they start to grow in) and I haven't had to give her a pedicure yet. She's not so happy with toweling so we're working on making that enjoyable first and she seems to keep her nails well trimmed on her pediperch.

[Abaleesha]

Good question Rick.

When needed I do my own birds, well ok truth of the matter is I do other peoples birds because I prefer mine flighted. I think people should be shown by someone experienced as to how to do what I call an appropriate wing clip. Bilateral and not hacked. be that a breeder who has been trained themselves, a vet or a place that sells birds that has a clue on appropriate clipping.

I don't like trimming claws as so may of my birds have dark claws (including Arthur obviously) and I'm terrified of hitting a vein. I have done teeny trims holding my breath the whole time with cornstarch powder sitting next to me.

I have seen some shocker wing clips in pet stores. A friend dragged me out of one because I was carrying on a little loudly and she wanted to go back to that store at some point rather then getting put on the hit list of do not allow to enter. I think places that sell birds should be trained how to clip wings properly.

[DynamitePsycho]

I do my own. I was shown properly and practiced on the 'keets before doing Ziggy's trim since their feathers grow back so quickly! I don't have to do nails because I have pediperches...thank goodness!

[my-africangrey-echo]

I think it is a good thing to learn to do it yourself. Taking your bird to a pet store for example is taking the chance of exposing them to some other birds that may be sick.

[Lisa B]

One service I have been offering is to go to homes after work to clip. only one home a night tho. I teach them how to do it themselves. It is dangerous to take them to stores for grooming. You dont know what you are exposing your birds to, and thats also why I dont do it in the store. Yes, it would bring in more money...yes it would be more convienent for me....however, it also mean exposing my stock(supplies only-no birds) to diseases that are transmittable on feather dust. Thats why I practice under the closed aviary concept. To keep all our birds happy and healthy.

[my-africangrey-echo]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

One service I have been offering is to go to homes after work to clip. only one home a night tho. I teach them how to do it themselves. It is dangerous to take them to stores for grooming. You dont know what you are exposing your birds to, and thats also why I dont do it in the store. Yes, it would bring in more money...yes it would be more convienent for me....however, it also mean exposing my stock(supplies only-no birds) to diseases that are transmittable on feather dust. Thats why I practice under the closed aviary concept. To keep all our birds happy and healthy.

Great minds think alike

[BIRDSITTER]

One Thing I Think Should Be Said And That Is To Some Of The New Members When You Read The Posts About People Doing The Clipping Themselves These Are Experience Bird Owners If You Have Never Done It Before Or Not Sure How To Do It Have Someone Do It For You Like A Vet Or Someone Who Has Experience In Clipping Wings And Nails To Help And Show You The Proper Way To Do It

[my-africangrey-echo]

Originally Posted by BIRDSITTER

One Thing I Think Should Be Said And That Is To Some Of The New Members When You Read The Posts About People Doing The Clipping Themselves These Are Experience Bird Owners If You Have Never Done It Before Or Not Sure How To Do It Have Someone Do It For You Like A Vet Or Someone Who Has Experience In Clipping Wings And Nails To Help And Show You The Proper Way To Do It

Oh yes very good point Rick

[Lisa B]

oops...good catch Rick. Thanks...Yep I have over 33 years in Aviculture.