Nail trimming on overgrown Yellow Crowned Amazon

So... My current Yellow Crowned amazon was a rescue and we've only now been able to get to work on his nails without severe stress and trauma... Only problem is they're black and I'm having a heck of a time getting the guts to whack away. The first nail I did, I tried to be cautious and whatnot but ended up hitting the quick anyway... Crap I didn't even take much off! So then we had the bleeding which I HATE anyway because well, bleeding in birds is never great.

That was two weeks ago and I keep playing with his feet and so far he's not holding a grudge at all and I'm fine to clip them but I'm scared to death I'll hit another quick... Any thoughts???? We really don't have any avian vets nearby and for simple nail trimming I'd rather NOT go that route, just seems more traumatic since he wouldn't know a vet (he's mid-late thirties in age and was a breeding bird never handled and whatnot...real sweet but as amazons go it's obvious he suffers from a lack of socialization and whatnot...not mean but not really too trusting at all).

Anyway thoughts would be appreciated!

Sara

 

Hi, I only ever trim the very tip of the nail, If the nail bleeds apply flour and this should stem the bleed. The other option is to take him to an avian vet for them to trim them for you.

Mike