How often?

[schmetterling]

Hello,
Im a new parrotlet owner and I was wondering how often you should:
1. clip the wings
2. nails
3. beaks

thanks!

[BeakerLuvsBunsen]

Cuttlebone and calcuim blocks and toys should take care of the beak....
Wings are a matter of preference and personal choice
Nails when they start to scratch you, I keep a perch that is gravely
to keep them trimmed down... but I wouldnt recommend sandpaper/grit

[Pado]

I've never done any of the above. :)

* I like to keep them flighted.

* With as active as they are they seem to keep their own nails in check.

* I wouldn't ever recommend cutting their beak - if for some reason it did overgrow (some species of Parrotlets are prone to it) but a Certified Avian Vet should do it if needed.

[memmey]

I'm not cutting anything on mine. Cutting anything=potential for blood lose and possible death.
Sand perches damage their feet and can cause infection.

[Cydney]

I have the ability and knowledge to clip wings and nails, though I have no intentions of clipping Finn anymore once his flights grow back and it really is a preference thing on if you should or not.
When my famiy's WB Caique's nails get too daggerlike for comfort, I just set him on my knee while I'm sitting down and he lets me hold each foot file his toes. Pedicure. :P Finn keeps his own toenails in check, I'd be afraid he'd lose traction of I filed the point of them off.
I agree with the others about the beak. Most don't ever need it done. However, our Caique did go to the vet in order to smooth out some chipping from playing too roughly with his toys (surprise), but I wouldn't ever recommend an untrained professional to do it.

[schmetterling]

I would never do the beak myself! I know how to do the nails myself because I used to be a groomer and its the same thiing as dogs nails. I have had their winds done at the vet but I was just wondering how frequently I should do it. My birdie does not chew on his cuttlebone. Do they know to do it when they need it?
Thanks for your replies.

[Sally]

I do not ever need to trim the beak. She chews on wood. Like a beaver, it keeps the beak in shape.

The nails never need a trim because she has grooming perches in her cage alone with rope perches, natural wood etc...

I do not ever trim feathers. I believe a bird should fly for mental and physical wellbeing. The home must be made safe of course.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/blingorchid.gif