Any tips on keeping her nails at a good length without having to cut them would be great.
Thanks
This is a bit tricky to answer as U2s are all different in size and proportion but generally if the toes lay flat on the perch the nails are not causing arching and pain of the toes and don't need to be cut.
If the very end of the toe, where the nail comes out, is up off the perch then the nails are too long and are causing pain of the toes and the tendons in the foot and leg and need cut.
Length alone isn't always the issue it's also the sharpness of the nails at any length. If the nails are very sharp the U2 will cut into skin when scratching behind the neck and also scratch you when perching. Also, cockatoos use their nails to remove their dander from there nares, nostrils, and this can cause problems if the nails are too sharp.
If nails are overgrown there isn't really much you can do to shorten and buff them other than have an experienced avian veterinarian or experienced avian vet tech cut and then buff over the nails.
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Once the nails are of safe length you can use one or two cement/concrete perches in the cage to help to keep them trimmed. Also you can from time to time during play and perching on you take an emory board or other and do a little bit of scruffing the nail tips to keep them from getting too sharp.
If you bird has chronic overgrown nails you need to consult with an avian veterinarian as chronic overgrowth of the nails is a symptom of several health problems.
So basically if they are overgrown you need them cut and buffed by the vet and then use concrete perches and an emory board to keep them in check.
If she is biting the tips of her nails this is usually a sign that she finds them too long as well.
