DNA sexing - Avian biotech reliable?

[Ann333]

Pumpkin was not DNA sexed by the breeder she told me she thought he was a boy because of his color and the color mutation of his parents. (apparently in gcc yellow sided is a sex linked gene?)

Well i would really like to know for sure and i did some research and apparently a website called Avian Biotch will send you a sample collection kit and you send it back with either a feather or a few drops of blood. They will then send you a certificate of the gender for a $25 fee.

My question, has anyone used this site? Did you use another site that you can recommend? Are these tests reliable? THANKS!

 

[SilverSage]

I use them all the time, and the tests are reliable. My breeder friends use them, and vets use them around here. I have never heard a substantiated claim against them.

 

[RavensGryf]

Avian Biotech is an established well known company, so yes I trust them. Zoogen is another one. I used Avian Biotech about 10 years ago through feather samples. When that bird had surgery, the vet saw the sex organs, so that confirmed it was accurate even with the feather method.

 

[Ann333]

Thank you both! I ordered the sample kit. Cant wait to know for sure. All that happened with Cleo recently scared me. I know it turned out to not be egg binding, but now im worried and want to know if Pumpkin is a girl so i can research and be as prepared as possible for any complications.

 

[Allee]

I used Avian Biotech recently and was very pleased. The results were available on line in about three business days. I used the feather test.

 

[OOwl]

I used to use Avian Biotech but switched to Research Associates Labratory because the test is less expensive ($18 for feather, blood, swab, or egg shell) and because they do 24-hour turns, much quicker than I got from Avian Biotech. Both labs are great, though, and I have never had a test that didn't turn out to be accurate from either lab. I had my Grey tested TWICE though because he DNA'd as a baby as a male but my vet said he looked phenotypically like a female and he also presents some very female typical behaviors. He DNA'd as male again. He's also 11 years old now and has never laid an egg, so I'm assuming the test is accurate. He's just unique.

 

[Hawk]

Pumpkin was not DNA sexed by the breeder she told me she thought he was a boy because of his color and the color mutation of his parents. (apparently in gcc yellow sided is a sex linked gene?)

Well i would really like to know for sure and i did some research and apparently a website called Avian Biotch will send you a sample collection kit and you send it back with either a feather or a few drops of blood. They will then send you a certificate of the gender for a $25 fee.

My question, has anyone used this site? Did you use another site that you can recommend? Are these tests reliable? THANKS!

They can do it at same time they do a nail trim and use the toe nail now, no more hurting bird with needle blood draw.

P.S. My Amazon Poppie Laughed ( anytime I get laughing) and said says lift the tail and check....lol. Silly bird she is.

 

[Ann333]

Haha thanks for the info guys! I ordered a feather sample kit. The site said both are equally as accurate and I'm more comfortable pulling feathers than making him bleed. Thanks again for all the responses.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

I use Avian Biotech too and do the feather sexing, super easy!

 

[Psittaciformes]

If your bird happens to moult though, couldn't you just use one of the feathers that's been dropped already?

 

[weco]

Feathers that have molted/moulted out don't have any follicle tissues on them, the tissue (that the lab needs for the test) has dried off of molted/moulted feathers.....

If you are worried about the bird being bothered by having its feathers yanked out, it doesn't unless you wiggle the feather around when you yank it out, but a sharp, clean yank usually goes unnoticed.....

Good luck.....

 

[Ann333]

The website said not to use molted feathers, not sure why. He's so small though im scared to just rip out his feathers. I might get my fiance to do it anyway, im thinking i dont want him to associate ME with that unpleasantness. lol

EDIT: Sorry Weco, i completely missed your post all alone on the second page. Thanks for that information!!

 

[thekarens]

We rip out the feathers from the breast on the finches and linnies and they don't even notice. They don't like being held still, but don't have any reaction to having their feathers pulled.

 

[Ann333]

Thats good to know! I just dont want to damage any bond we may have formed in the month we have been together. So i hope he doesnt even notice!

 

[Dopey]

Do you pull from different places on the breast or can all of the feathers come out on the same pull? I plan on doing this on Monday - depending on the weather here.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

It's recommended to only pull 1 or 2 at a time (less painful that way) Just grab a breast feather and give it a firm tug. The birds usually don't even flinch

 

[Dopey]

Ok - but if I come back to work on Tuesday with bloody fingers...I'm going to let you all know.

Can I use tweezers with the Amazon?

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Why not just pull them?

 

[Dopey]

Because he bites and I didn't want to towel him. If I use tweezers I think I can get them through the bars and not have to towel him.

 

[RavensGryf]

Because he bites and I didn't want to towel him. If I use tweezers I think I can get them through the bars and not have to towel him.

That just seems awkward. The bird is likely to move away before you have tweezers in place. Besides, it needs to be the breast feathers which would be out of reach that way. Just towel him this once Mary Lynn, just do it lol, it'll be okay! Just use a big enough towel (no washcloths )