1sydneybird Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 Hi! Do you all feel that one method is superior to another?
judygram Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 No I think either method is reliable, my grey's sex was determined from a tiny drop of blood taken from the end of one of her talons but some use the feather method, either one involves a tiny bit of pain for the bird.
1sydneybird Posted September 26, 2009 Author Posted September 26, 2009 Thanks! I had my quaker sexed the same way (blood) but was wondering about the feather method to save a few $. I wanted to make sure it was a reliable way to sex. I really feel the Syd is a boy, as he does a little mating dance for me sometimes, but want to be sure!
judygram Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 If you do the feather method you have to freshly pluck them from the chest, you cannot use feathers that have fallen out for they are essentially dead so no dna available. There is a kit you can purchase to send in to get the results, I think it costs the same no matter which method you use, the site is www.avianbiotech.com
Luvparrots Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 Ana Grey was sexed via feather method. It was about $25 at www.avianbiotech.com.
1sydneybird Posted September 26, 2009 Author Posted September 26, 2009 THANKS!!! I just ordered my kit!
raleej337 Posted September 27, 2009 Posted September 27, 2009 Feather is less painful I think. My two male cockatiels was sexed via feather. Blood is cheaper than feather. Avianbiotech does a good service.
1sydneybird Posted September 28, 2009 Author Posted September 28, 2009 OK, I plucked 3 chest feathers. Is that enough? That was a really awful experience!!
judygram Posted September 28, 2009 Posted September 28, 2009 I hope you had someone else do the plucking so Sydney doesn't associate you with the pain of getting those feathers for the dna test but yeah it is an awful experience for a bird.
1sydneybird Posted September 28, 2009 Author Posted September 28, 2009 My husband did, we only got 3, but the website says 3-5 is best. I do NOT think I can do that again to him!! Do you think 3 are adequate?
judygram Posted September 28, 2009 Posted September 28, 2009 If it said 3 to 5 and you got 3 then that is enough for you don't want to have to do that again.
raleej337 Posted September 28, 2009 Posted September 28, 2009 yeah 3 is ok but if you can add two more just to make sure they have enough sample to use for DNA testing the better. I hate to pluck those feathers but in a way it is more less painful than cutting the nails to bleed just to get few drops of blood. Good luck on finding out the sex of your bird.
1sydneybird Posted September 28, 2009 Author Posted September 28, 2009 I called avianbiotech and they said 3 is OK. IF, for some reason it is not enough, there is no charge to send in more. That would give me a bit for Syd to forget about the towel, seeming I just also trimmed his nails a few days ago!!:blush:
Luvparrots Posted September 29, 2009 Posted September 29, 2009 Waiting patiently to hear what sex Sydney is!!!
1sydneybird Posted October 1, 2009 Author Posted October 1, 2009 Im waiting not so patiently!! LOL!! I should know today!!!:ohmy:
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