DNA testing for sexing

[Mamanda]

Has anyone here ever performed a DNA test to find out the sex of your conure? I ordered a free kit from a place on-line. I was planning to follow the instructions once it arrives and send it in to find out if I have a boy or girl (I always refer to Keen as "him", but I don't actually know).
Anyone have eny thoughts on DNA sexing?

Thanks!

 

[Bobioden]

When I bought Maxx he was already DNA tested Male. The breeder was hoping for a female, so had the whole hatch tested. The four I had too choose from were all male, She did get the female she wanted, and I got my pick of 4 healthy males.

 

[andrea.faerie]

i use avian biotech I've DNA feather tested both my conure and my pionus takes about a week from the time you put it in the mailbox

 

[Mamanda]

i use avian biotech I've DNA feather tested both my conure and my pionus takes about a week from the time you put it in the mailbox

I'm pretty sure that's the company I ordered from. Do you have to pull an entire feather or clip one? That's the part I'm most worried about. I just got Keen and I am trying really hard to build trust. I don't want to tick him off by pulling out a feather. (He still won't even let me touch him!)

 

[andrea.faerie]

you have to pull 4-5 chest feathers. It's not that bad, pluck them all at once and QUICKLY. Then snuggle your little birdie and tell him he's a good bird and give him a treat. It's not too detrimental. I had to pluck 2 of Lucy's wing feathers today and I'll have to do 2 more tomorrow (splintered feathers thread). It's harder on me than it was on her If you need help you can probably get a vet to do it or see if someone at a local bird club thingie will help you out if you don't wanna do it on your own.

 

[Echo]

I personally clip 1 toenail a little short to clip the quick a tiny bit and get a drop of blood for DNA testing. I use Avian Biotech as well. MY Conures don't seem to hold a grudge at all! PS: If you do that, make sure to apply some styptic powder to cauterize the blood.

 

[Rio Mom]

I also used avianbiotech to dna River. I was too chicken to pull the feathers. The breeder pulled 4 or 5 chest feathers for me. She did them one at a time, but River didn't seem bothered much by it, and got loved up right away after.

 

[Mamanda]

Thank you all for your comments! I'm so freaked out, I want Keen to love me!

 

[QuackQuack]

If I found out my boy wasn't a boy that would change so much in my mind LOL! I don't know if I'll ever do it because I want him to 'stay' a boy. Silly, I know . I suppose if he ever drops an egg I'll have to face facts

 

[Riio]

I did this for my lil Rio just a little while ago. I used Avian Biotech and I also did the feather thing. I was going to do a drop of blood from a tonail but was worried that I would have trouble getting it to stop bleeding. Anywhoo, you do have to pull 4-5 chest feathers but Rio didnt seem to mind to much, I think its probably like pulling a hair out of our head, it stings a little but then its done quickly. I wouldnt worry to much about it! Good luck!

 

[Remy]

I'd be afraid to pull feathers from Puck... He hold grudges! He's not a conure though.

I figured out that he was a boy because he tries to mate with me "the boy way"...

 

[Mamanda]

If I found out my boy wasn't a boy that would change so much in my mind LOL! I don't know if I'll ever do it because I want him to 'stay' a boy. Silly, I know . I suppose if he ever drops an egg I'll have to face facts

I feel the same way! I'm hoping Keen IS a boy! I don't know why. I guess I just want to find out regardless though.

 

[Mamanda]

I'd be afraid to pull feathers from Puck... He hold grudges! He's not a conure though.

My cockatiel holds grudges too! I had him for a few weeks and then I took him a couple weeks ago for a vet exam, wing clipping, nail trim and ever since he seems to HATE me. It totally breaks my heart. I am ULTRA paranoid about doing something to upset Keen in the same way.