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Daniel J. Ferrara Jr. Regular user Long Island, New York 182 Posts |
Am I supposed to file or clip my dove's claws? They seem to be getting very sharp.
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Daniel, you can do either one, however, I prefer to file them. If you look at the claw, you'll see a fine red line down the center. It's called the blood line. No matter which way you choose, be careful not to touch that line. Dove's have very little blood and they loose it quickly if you cut the line. All you really need to do is take the very tip off the claw so it doesn't get caught.
That's why I like the file. A couple of passes and you're all set. I still keep a tube of Kwik stop around. That's like a styptic pencil and will clot the blood right away if you make a mistake. We've all done it.
Where the magic begins
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Daniel J. Ferrara Jr. Regular user Long Island, New York 182 Posts |
Ok, thank you.
By the way, you were right about the Tony Clark videos. Lots of great info on care and training. |
Tim Taylor Veteran user 1970 - 2012 375 Posts |
I know this works for our parrots. This could work for the doves. Try a lava stone perch. Our parrots live on them.
"Even a mosquito gets a slap on the back for a job well done" - Tim Taylor
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magic mike New user Michael M. 88 Posts |
Daniel,
On Andy Amyx's dove video called Doves 101, he suggests gluing sandpaper to the perches of the dove's cage, in this way clipping or filing of the dove's claws will not be neccessary. I no longer have doves and have never tried this method of keeping the bird's nails from getting sharp but it sounds like an idea worth trying. Please let me know if you try this out and how it works out.
Channing Pollack is my idea of the perfect magician. For those of you that have not seen him perform, I recommend trying to get hold of a video of an old movie called "European Nights" made about 1959.
I was able to buy this video from Stevens Magic |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
You need to be careful using the sandpaper method. Each time the bird lands on the perch a little bit of the nail is removed. If you don't watch it carefully, the removal could get dangerously close to the blood line.
Where the magic begins
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Kingry Elite user Virginia 464 Posts |
I have used the cement perches for years, and have never had a problem.
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VMC_Alex Regular user 136 Posts |
Do not use sandpaper perches with doves! They will pick at the sandpaper for grit and it contains poisonous materials inside that could kill your doves. I have found a great dove website:
http://www.petdove.com/ It has a lot of interesting stuff. |
magician81 Loyal user singapore 293 Posts |
As I am a beginner in dove magic, thanks a lot, you just saved my doves.
never try, never know
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
I think a little clarification may be needed on the sandpaper idea. I raised my first 6 birds with sandpaper perches and never had any trouble with them at all, at least in regards to eating it. In fact most pet shops sell sandpaper perches. If you use a finer grade paper, the doves can't eat it. You do have to be careful though as the sandpaper can wear on the bottoms of their feet. That's why using the smaller grade is important. There is an article on the pet dove web site listed in this topic about sandpaper but it doesn't say the sandpaper is poisonous but rather it is not easily digestible.
I stopped using the sandpaper because you can't control how much filing is done to the nails. A quick file with an emery board every now and then is all that is needed.
Where the magic begins
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zaubern Veteran user Seattle, Wa 335 Posts |
Yes, using sandpaper on the perches is good, it is easier to replace than buying some of the perches pre made.
Zaubern
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JustinDavid Veteran user 370 Posts |
I bought "Hartz Sanded Perch Covers".. from the pet store around here in NJ.. 1.99 for 6.. I still have my first two on her two perches and I've had them for about a week and a half.. look into it if you can..
Justin |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
I do not recommend clipping white dove nails unless you have spare birds. This is unique to the albino whites but they tend to be free bleeders. You can stop the bleeding with alum but why create the problems at all? I don't think I have had to clip a white dove nail in the last twenty years except for cage injuries. (Yes, I do ruin some silks. But I get paid to do that. The rope I cut up is really cut up too!)
Colored doves are different. Bob Magic By Sander |
EvanMagic Elite user Manitoba 471 Posts |
Heres an idea I found interesting,
Some guy thought of taking a routering tool and turning it into a smoother/ filer for animals. My rabbit has very sensitive nails and almost fell asleep from it, it leaves a nice smooth finish after, not sure where to buy it though. |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Be careful of heat buildup with a rotary tool.
Bob Magic By Sander |
EvanMagic Elite user Manitoba 471 Posts |
The tool used on the rotary was something special, that is meant not to heat up to a high temperature to hurt the animal, not sure what it is called.
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