Long Toenails

[le_bwah]

I guess all of the information I've been given thus far re: space requirements has been wrong...back to the drawing board!

If you have a peaceful flock in a cage that size, you might keep doing what you've been doing but file the birds nails to a reasonable length and make sure they have plenty of enrichment/things to do.

The "1 square foot per bird" bit you've probably heard best applies to battery cages—it's a space ratio at which the birds won't constantly fight, but they won't have enough room to exercise or get out of each others' way.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

I would be much more inclined to think it's the substrate. Can you find coarser, rougher sand anywhere? Maybe they're sinking right through the play sand without their toes catching.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

Mine are in small cages and on shavings so I would think I'd have the same problem. But their sand baths are super gritty granite rock sand from outside and they spend lots of time digging in them.

 

[le_bwah]

I'd almost be inclined to lay down a patch of medium-to-fine-grit sandpaper near their feeder. Mine scratch while they eat—if yours do too, they could wear down their nails without changing much else about the setup.

 

[TheLaboratoryBF]

I studied all five of them closely this morning and oddly enough, the two with the longest nails (that are actually long enough to start curling down/under) are the lightest colored birds (or dirty pearl-fees, thanks @CoturnixComplex for that ID!). I wonder if it’s a genetic issue causing them to grow too fast/too strong to be worn down...

They are definitely a peaceful group of four females and one male. The sand they’re on is all-purpose (as opposed to play) so it’s pretty gritty/not uniform or small in size. The birds themselves just don’t seem to have the urge to scratch. I’ve watched them just lay down and then “beak” their surroundings (rake and pick through the sand with their beaks), so their beaks in great shape but those nails!

I like the sand paper idea below their feeder...may give that a try.

Thanks for all of the input!

 

[chkva]

Spread seeds and such on the sand so they'll scratch. The course sand you have is perfect, I use that kind too. I would try tacking down a course grot sandpaper and see if that helps in any way. I've never really heard of this being a problem, but I'm interested to see how you solve it.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

I like the sandpaper! Maybe attach it to a wooden block or something and bury that in the sand? Mine would end up eating the paper...

 

[DK newbie]

I'd be careful with the sandpaper - it might not only wear down the claws, it could wear down the skin on the bottom of their feet, causing bumble foot. At least that is a concern with budgies and finches if people use sand paper for those.

 

[le_bwah]

I'd be careful with the sandpaper - it might not only wear down the claws, it could wear down the skin on the bottom of their feet, causing bumble foot. At least that is a concern with budgies and finches if people use sand paper for those.

A finer grit would probably have a lower chance of causing deep scratches. And I bet you wouldn't have to leave it in there all the time, only long enough to get their nails blunted. I think it could be worth trying—just stop at the first sign of harm.