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[luckyandjenn]

Hi guys I'm new to this site and recently adopted an awesome 16 year old blue and gold DNA tested male macaw. he's in great health with few behivor issues ....one of those issues being he was never socialized much and I think his beak and nails need to be trimmed (not sure how long it's supposed to be)it hurts to hold him and his beak seems rather long I'm iffy on how to take him places as he is not well socialized any ideas or info would be awesome

[Dragonlady2]

Welcome to Precisely Parrots luckyandjenn! How awesome of you to adopt an older bird. Are you able to post a picture or two so that we can see his beak and nails? Depending on your location, vets will do beak and nail trims as well as some pet stores.

When you say "take him places", where did you have in mind? I use pet carriers and small animal crates for transporting my birds.

Can't wait to hear about Lucky and how you obtained him.:th_smile:

[luckyandjenn]

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so this is my guy lucky and if like to be able to eventually take him just about everywhere my only problem is that he wasn't really ever socialized and I'm afraid to take him anywhere because of that ps he looks darker than he is in this pic due to bring wet from his shower

[Cedardave]

Welcome.All avian vets will trim beak and nails.If there are still trust issues between you and him I suggest you take him to have it done to avoid adding more trust issues.Once you have a good relationship it's fairly simple to do nails...unless you know what your doing I wouldn't mess with his beak yourself.Use a good carrier to transport to and from your vet.If he's nippy or your worried about getting bitten use a towel to catch him to place in the carrier.Trust is a two way street with these guys..so once he learns you don't present a threat I'm sure it will all work out.Congratulations and well done on taking in a rescue.They will sometimes come with their challenges....which is why they may have been surrendered.Work thru them together andI hope to hear lots of storeys on your progress

[Cedardave]

Just saw your pictures as I was posting.His beak looks a little on the long side....be sure he has lots of safe woods to chew on and see if he will naturally wear it down.I would still suggest an opinion from an avian vet though.Make sure he's on a good pelleted diet as well as lots of fruit and vegetables.Go extremely light on any seed.I think the fact that he is hanging out on a stand outside his cage suggests you are well on your way to gaining his trust.He is in beautiful shape.

[Dragonlady2]

Lucky is beautiful! His feathers appear to be in great shape. Cedardave has given you some good advice on how to start working with him.
Have you owned parrots before Lucky?

[luckyandjenn]

Thanks for all the great info we are pretty bonded now I put a lot of work into our relationship arledy but that's just with me and my husband he get super mad when any new strangers come around I'm not sure how to go about getting him used to new people which makes me kinda scared to even attempt to take him somewhere to get his beak done ...he's my first bird I would not attempt to do his nails on my own...that being said I did a lot of research before deciding that a macaw is what I wanted he's on a great diet a lot of organic fresh fruit and veggies out of my garden and some sort of seed and fruit mix his previous owner has that's for all the gear info this far

[luckyandjenn]

Thank you I think he is just stunning lol and I have a flock of chickens but yes he's my first large parrot I did all my homework before deciding on this breed

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Welcome to you both, Jenn and Lucky.
I think a trip to the vets (make sure they are avian specialists) would be a good idea for you both. He can get his nails and beak done whilst the vet is giving him a quick once over and you can get to meet the vet and decide whether they are someone you can like and trust for future needs.
You may already have a vet sorted if you have chickens - there is usually someone with a chicken in for treatment at our vets when we go.
Once you are satisfied they are suitable, keep their number in your phone and in your bird's note book - we make a note of Casper's weight each week and record all vets visits and other info like when he is moulting. Its very useful long term to see how his weight changes through the seasons and weight loss is often the first indication that the bird is unhealthy.
I wouldn't worry too much about getting him other-people friendly, just warn the person not to get too close and not to wave their fingers in front of him or point at him. Also, no close-up flash photography. Let the bird decide if he is happy to be close to strangers, they seem to know if people are suitable. Casper will fly onto the shoulder of some visitors to the house but starts fanning his tail and pinning his eyes with others, both warning signs that he is going to give them a nip if they invade his personal space. We are never sure who he is going to like.

[luckyandjenn]

Casper's 2nd best friend thanks i was more worried about him trying to harm the person trying to do his nails and beak and such...other than that hes healthy eats drinks and poos normal i need to work on his abilty to talk he makes all sorts of noises and he knows a few things loves to in a creepy wisper say night night lucky and hi lol

[luckyandjenn]

I actually found him on craigslist his owner was going to have a bunch of heart surgries and no longer had the time lucky needed and decided to find an adopter for him im very lucky i still talk to the perivous owner and hes just as happy as i am i love this guy so much i cant wait to help him be the best bird he can be

[Cedardave]

An avian vet usually has a tech help them out..they deal with birds as a specialty....I wouldn't be to worried about them getting hurt,they know what they are doing.A check up isn't a bad idea .

[luckyandjenn]

An avian vet usually has a tech help them out..they deal with birds as a specialty....I wouldn't be to worried about them getting hurt,they know what they are doing.A check up isn't a bad idea .


Ill save up and look into reputable Aviary vet's here in San Diego the last person his previous owner took him too did his top beak to short i dont want that to happen again

[Lady]

:th_hi:Jenn and Lucky,

:pp_welcome: Wow, Lucky is very handsome! It's great that you guys are doing so well with getting to know and trust one another. Sounds like your all off to a great start!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Aye, don't worry about the vet getting bitten, they (should) have lots of experience... and that's what you are paying them for, so you don't have to be bitten :)
Actually, once they get the towel over his head he should calm down a bit and if he does try and bite he will just get a mouthful of towel.
Just be careful at home when you go to dry your hands that the bird doesn't give you a nip to warn you that he remembers what else towels are for. :)

Put the word towelling into the search field (top right of the screen) to read of our experiences :)

[luckyandjenn]

:th_hi:Jenn and Lucky,

:pp_welcome: Wow, Lucky is very handsome! It's great that you guys are doing so well with getting to know and trust one another. Sounds like your all off to a great start!

Thanks we are off to a terrific start im quite lucky ill try posting more pics and a video or too i seem to be having a hrad time all the stuff i have is to big or some dam thing lol

[luckyandjenn]

Sounds good i will do that thanks for the laugh this morning i will so look into your towelling stories happy to have found some decent forums to become a part of .... and im still doing alot of research trying to find a vet that I think is reputable vet out here in San Diego that specializes with exotic birds such as my lucky boy

[Lady]

Not sure where you are in SD, but I found these on the net: [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[luckyandjenn]

Not sure where you are in SD, but I found these on the net: [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

Yes i also found this i will be looking into this place id like to take lucky in for a check up and i believe the tip of his nails need to be trimmed as well as his beak i do think hes relatively healthy I was able to weigh him yesterday and he weighs 958 grams and from what I read at his age that seems to be normal

[Mare]

Hi, Jenn and Lucky! Welcome! Lucky is a handsome guy and sounds like he got lucky by you finding him :). I suppose to socialize an animal you've got to get them around people. Starting out with him in a carrier may be a good beginning.

[luckyandjenn]

Hi, Jenn and Lucky! Welcome! Lucky is a handsome guy and sounds like he got lucky by you finding him :). I suppose to socialize an animal you've got to get them around people. Starting out with him in a carrier may be a good beginning.

Thanks i think we got lucky finding each other lol im happy that he seems to be a well rounded bird and healthy i did a little shopping spree to get him some new toy a training kit and a leash and harness next spree will be for looking at a carrier...hes doing alot better when my neighbors come over its just going to take time :pinkgrin: p.s. grate looking flock you got there

[kendrafitz]

Hi Jenn and Lucky! Sorry I'm a bit late in saying hi. Lucky is gorgeous. I agree with bringing him to an avian vet. Until you do, maybe get a sand perch to help with his beak and nails. My GW has a couple and I have never had to have her beak/nails trimmed.

Happy to have you on the forum.

[luckyandjenn]

Hi Jenn and Lucky! Sorry I'm a bit late in saying hi. Lucky is gorgeous. I agree with bringing him to an avian vet. Until you do, maybe get a sand perch to help with his beak and nails. My GW has a couple and I have never had to have her beak/nails trimmed.

Happy to have you on the forum.

Thanks Rosie and Kendra I'll have to look into that I'd rather he be able to get somthing like that and see if he likes it

[wingman]

Hello and Welcome!!! I like that Brian Seltzer haircut on your macaw ! He looks like a rocker!!!!!��

[luckyandjenn]

Hello and Welcome!!! I like that Brian Seltzer haircut on your macaw ! He looks like a rocker!!!!!��

Ha ha thanks it was indeed a lucky shot he was ruffling his feathers after a shower