Some suggest cement perches as the solution, because they go easy on your bird's feet, will keep their toenails trimmed, and the need for clipping the toenails also does not arise. Though cement perches are a bit expensive, they are worth trying. You could get a small parakeet-size cement perch. Keep it on your budgie's favorite perching area, or on a higher Grooming Your Budgie level, in the cage. It might take some time for your pet to get used to it. If he does not use it within a week, you could try moving it to another location, but don't do this too soon. Your budgie needs to adjust and get used to this new inclusion in its cage. An overgrown beak can be a huge nuisance, when your budgie is trying to eat. It is generally advised that you do not trim the overgrown beak yourself. A number of nerves and blood vessels run in the beak, and even the slightest mistake can cause your pet a lot of harm. Taking your pet to an avian vet is usually the right thing to do. An avian vet can also decide the exact cause of the overgrown beak (generally it is either because of a vitamin deficiency, or because of some health problem). Try talking to other budgie-owners, and find out about Trimming your budgie's beak Grooming Your Budgie Only an avian vet can find out the exact cause of an overgrown beak. which avian vet they consult. If you don't have an avian vet in your locality, find out how other budgie-owners deal with a situation like this one. And if you still don't have a clue, try reaching a local vet or a pet store. After getting your budgie's beak trimmed, don't forget to provide it with a chew toy, to prevent this problem from recurring. To keep its beak in shape, your budgie needs to chew. A cuttle bone can provide calcium and minerals, but is considered too soft to actually help your bird keep its beak in shape. Visit the pet stores, and look at chew toys that they have to offer. I suggest you select a softer material to chew because budgies have a beak smaller and softer than those of parrots. You must always keep a toy that gets destroyed, or rather, will get destroyed in your budgie's cage. Keep replacing this toy, at regular intervals. Birds are meant to fly, and that's something we cannot do. So, clipping a bird's wings does not make sense, does it? But this is how some would like to defend their stand on Clipping your budgie's wings Grooming Your Budgie clipping. When you bring a bird home, your first and foremost concern is your birds' safety. You are putting it in a place it is not used to, it is scared and is also curious. As I have mentioned in the chapter on budgie safety, birds with unclipped wings can fly into windows, glass doors, mirrors etc. Your kitchen could be another of your pet's favorite destination and it could land on hot pots, stoves, hot pans, etc., (even if your bird has its wings clipped, never, ever, let it into the kitchen). |