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If you do not want your bird flying up a chimney, into trouble, or out a window, wing clipping talent is a must. And for your birds health, so is nail clipping. Many people just feel they can do it themselves right off the bat, it is no big deal. But if you are not careful, you could hurt your bird for life. So to guarantee you do everything right, read the following directions and watch an experienced person go through the procedure. Wing Clipping: 1) Hold your bird snuggly but not tightly in a towel, making sure you have access to the wings. You may want to also cover his head. If you cannot hold him properly with one hand, ask someone else to hold him so that he does not get away. 2) Turn him over so that he is resting on his back. 3) Extend one wing with one hand. If you are holding the bird yourself, hold the extended wing in place with your thumb and your index finger as they are wrapped furthest around your bird. If someone is holding the bird for you, use your free hand to keep the wing extended. Make sure not to stretch the wing too far, but enough to properly clip the wings without injuring your bird. 4) Check quickly for bloodfeathers. They are long pinfeathers with a pink tinge down the middle. If you do find one, don't clip the wings yet, you will have to wait until the feather is properly grown. It will bleed if you cut the base of the feather. If you cannot find any within the primary feathers, which are the longest and first layer of feathers on the wing, then you can proceed. 5) Clip a few of the primary feathers, which are the first layer of feathers on the wing, and the longest. Only cut a few, not all the way down the wing. If you have seen someone else clip them before, then you can follow along that trimming line. 6) Switch hands, holding the bird in the opposite hand, and repeat steps 2-5 to the opposite wing. Toenail Clipping: 1) Hold your bird snuggly but not tightly in a towel, making sure you have access to the feet. 2) Turn him over so that he is resting on his back. With he feet suspended, he will kick out and try to find something to hold onto. 3) Let him hold onto one of your fingers and hold his foot up to the light, making sure his face is covered. Look for the vein in the toenail. If his feet are black, they will be harder to find. 4) Pick up the toenail clippers(You can purchase bird ones but I recommend cat toenail clippers they are sharper and easier to handle) and cut a bit away from where you see the vein ending. Sometimes the vein will thin out right at the end. 5) Repeat steps 2-4 to each nail |