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Keeping your finches nails (claws) and beak trimmed and in good condition can require a little extra effort on your part. However, the task itself isn't difficult. Nail and beak maintenance is essential to keeping your finches healthy. If the nails become too long or twisted they can catch on items in the cage, which can lead to broken legs or ripped nails. When the beak grows too long the finch eventually loses the ability to eat properly and that leads to a slow death by starvation.
Are some species more prone to overgrowing their nails?
Yes. overgrown nails are quite common in species that naturally have long tough claws. These species include all Weavers, Mannikins and Munias. Waxbills are also prone to developing overgrown nails because their nails naturally grow very fast. To put those finch types in to more common species they would be: Society, Spice, Tri-Color nuns, Orange Bishop Weavers, Bronze-Wings, Java Rice, and of course Orange Cheek Waxbills.
Are some species more prone to beak excessive beak growth?
Not really. Most overgrown beaks can be linked to diet, environment or genetics. However I can tell you that once an overgrown beak becomes a problem it will always be an issue. With proper care and regular trimmings both you and the finch can spend many happy years together.
What causes the beak and nails to over grow?
While some species are naturally prone to nail overgrowth the problem can and will occur in malnourished finches, those with genetic predispositions to the overgrowth or due to factors in the finches environment.
Malnourished - Finches with a poor diet will not only suffer bodily stress and feather loss, but many will develop beak and nail growth problems. The nails and beak are always growing and, like the feathers, can be a gauge of the long-term health of your finch. Finches that have suffered from prolonged malnutrition will usually have a lighter colored beak and claws and often the beak will be misshapen or elongated. Sometimes the beak will take on a scaled (yet smooth) look but do not use this factor in judging health. The scaled beak look can occur naturally as the finch is reaching old age.
This is not only preventable, it's treatable. A good diet can do amazing things for finches. All they need is a chance to thrive and most will do extremely well. Never feed your only finch one type of food and think it is enough. If you use seed or pellets always supplement the diet with egg food, greens, fruits and veggies. The nails and beak use the same nutrients as the feathers to grow properly. If your finches are picky eaters or you simply want to make sure they are getting what they need supplement the diet with Hearty Bird, Feather Fast and Calcium Plus.
Genetics - The trait of beak overgrowth seems to be inheritable, but just because a parent finch has an overgrowth problem it doesn't mean all their chicks will suffer from it. In fact most never develop the problem unless they are cared for improperly. And when it comes to the nails, as mentioned above, some species simply have longer and tougher nails.
Environment - This is the #1 cause for the beak and especially the claws, to become overgrown. In a typical finch cage with a few perches, cups and maybe a swing, there isn't much for a finch to use to wear down its claws. In the wild the finches would be grasping various shaped tree branches and maybe even hopping across rocks. All the various surfaces in the natural world the finch encounters aid in the gradual wearing down of the nails. A Finch will also strike its beak against these surfaces to keep it clean and in the process wear it down as well.
Fixing a cage to make it beak and nail healthy is a lot easier than you may think. Use various sizes of perches. Add in other surfaces such as a standing platform with a slightly rough surface, even cement perches are available for finches. Given the right equipment the finch will help you maintain its own nails and beak.
I do have some words of caution about rough perches. The sand paper wraps that are placed over round perches are dangerous. They roll too easily and even if you can get them to stay in place the rough surface can, over time, damage the bottom of the finch's feet. The same is true of some commercial cement perches. The under side of the finches foot (this is true of all pet birds) is rather soft and if it is constantly rubbed on a rough surface tissue damage can occur. This can lead to loss of some mobility in the toes. When possible you want to find a perch that is smooth on top and rough on the bottom so the rough areas only contact the nails. Then just remember to mount the perches correctly.
 How do I trim my finch's beak?
This is actually very easy to do. The most difficult part is catching the finch. Once you have the finch securely in your hand, support the head to prevent sudden and large movements. With your nail clippers (the same kind you use on your own toenails) gently snip off just the tip of the overgrowth. If necessary snip off just a little more but don't even try to clip it back down to the normal beak length, you won't be able to. If the beak feels mushy in the clippers, stop. The overgrowth sections should be hard and brittle. If it's getting soft you are getting to close to the blood supply for the beak. It's best to clip the beak straight across and leave the beak flat on the end. Fancy trimming rarely works and can cause more unnecessary stress. If you have added nail/beak maintenance perches to the cage the finch should have no problem filing its beak back to a more natural shape.
If it is the side of the beak that needs to be trimmed the same guides apply. Keep it quick, straight and only clip off a little at a time.
How to I trim my finch's claws?
This is also quite easy. With finch in one hand and the nail clippers (same ones as with the beak) in the other you are half way there. The trick to trimming the claws is getting a hold of them one at a time. The finch will attempt to keep its feet curled up tightly against its body so you'll need to hold the legs out between a few of your fingers while keeping the finch in the palm of your hand. At this point you'll probably start wishing you had a few more fingers or hands. Hold one foot out and try to keep the toes open. Then position your clippers around one nail and double check the position before clipping. You don't want to clip or pinch any other toe while trimming the nails. Repeat the process until all claws in need of a trim have been trimmed.
 When trimming the claws there is an increased risk of hitting the small vein (and nerve which runs along side) that supplies blood to the claw. There is one of these veins in each claw and in species that have dark colored claws you cannot see this vein. The vein usually runs about ¼ of an inch in to the claw from the toe. Be very careful not to clip too much of the claw. When in doubt, stop clipping. If you do clip this vein it will bleed a lot. Eventually the bleeding would stop on its own but by then the finch will become terribly anemic and weak.
If you accidentally do clip the vein and it starts to bleed use styptic power, a styptic pencil, or good old fashion baking flour to stop the bleeding. The use of both the powders is simple. Hold the bleeding toe, or whole foot, in the powder and allow it time to clot around the wound. If you use the styptic powder or flour you will need to hold the finch for some time before allowing it back in to the cage. If the power is removed to quickly the bleeding can restart and you'll be back in the powder before you know it.
How do I help maintain normal claw and beak lengths in my aviary?
If the claws and beaks are already overgrown you must trim them first. Then add in nail maintenance perches and or swings to the cage. You don't want every perching surface to be rough but depending on the size of your flock you'll probably need a few special perches. Cuttle bones, mineral blocks and sometimes even grit or charcoal can also use used to help maintain the beak and claws. Please don't use much grit or charcoal if your birds have never had any. You don't want them to gorge themselves on either.
What about a twisted beak?
A Twisted beak is often a sign of more serious health problems. The beak will simply grow the wrong way and twist or cross. Trimming isn't possible, as the beak isn't really overgrown. It's grown incorrectly. Consult your local vet.
What can you do if you are worried about injuring your finches and are fearful to trim them yourself?
Most all veterinarians will clip beaks and nails for a fee, if necessary take your finches to the vet for a check up and clip. Some times pet stores will also offer nail and beak trimming services and there are some pet groomers who will also work with birds. All you can do is call around and see which services are available in your area.
Article © Myra Markley 2003
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