how long should i wait to clip my congo african gray's wings, beak, and nails?

Question

its been about a month, but his under wing is coming back and his beak is sharp

Answer 1

If it's only been a couple of months there is something wrong here. You might not have cut them correctly. Remember you do not cut the feather in the middle but rather down by where the tiny bit of fuzz grows before the feather itself. Also you only cut a few of the feather on each side considered the "Flight Feathers," and you should know were and how many of these feathers to cut as it reacts to your CAG (and how he/she flys.) I usually leave a few on each side of the flight conbination to assure he/she can "glide" down off the perch or other area safely, where they are but not fly around. And only cut them after they have fully "fledged." They must know how to fly and do it well before you go and start cutting on account of the skill required to "safely glide" they can only learn this by actually flying.

I know you didn't say anything to this matter and I am not scolding you in any way shape or form. I just wanted to be cautious and kind to your CAG. I have owned and breed CAG's for over 20 yrs and offer my help at any turn in the road to CAG owners because I love the breed!

As for the beak you can constantly groom his/her beak when they will let you. I use a normal nail file (emory board) and make a game out of it. Yearly exams by your trusted vet will do the final beak measurments and triming if or when that's needed. As well as for the flight feathers.

Again the flight feathers should not need to be cut that soon. Mine usually last for more than a year and can also be accomplished by your vet if you feel that your not knowledgable enough in this area. If your vet doesn't know how to do this, run- don't walk out of there and find a vet who is accomplished in avian specialities. I don't want anything to happen to your "forever companion"

It's it great to have a CAG?

Dutch

Answer 2

Can you see blood feathers coming in under his wings? I would wait until the blood feathers are gone--if you cut one he could bleed, possibly to death if you don't know how to treat it (yank it out quickly). I would also wait until he had at least 3-4 fully grown flight feathers before trimming then.

NEVER TOUCH THE BEAK. Nature made a parrot's beak the perfect instrument for him to crack nuts, seed, etc. If you mess with it, he might not be able to eat which would lead to a lot worse problems then a sharp beak. Only a deformed or damaged beak should be trimmed and then only by an avian veterinarian.

Cutting the claws is also touchy. If you cut them too close, which is very easy to do as the nerve could go almost to the very tip of the claw, he could bleed again and parrots just don't have enough blood to go bleeding all the time. It is easier to have a vet do it and much less traumatic on the bird. Besides if you are the one doing these things to him, you might wind up on his list of people to hate. It's better to let him hate the vet than you.

In fact, it is just plain better to have the vet do any trimming at all that your bird may need. And yes, if it's only been a month, it is probably too soon.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Wings and nails can be clipped any time they are needed. The beak shouldn't be touched unless there is some kind of deformity. A sharp beak is normal and you could cause damage if you start cutting it or attempt to file it.