DNA Testing?

[AshleyNOatie]

Okay, so when I bought Oatie, they thought he was a girl, then they looked at him, and said "Oh, wait, maybe he's a boy", so I'm kind of worried that he may not be a boy.

I called the vet, and they don't offer DNA testing, but they said the vet could tell. I've never gone to this vet, but I have friends that go to him. I'm just worried that the vet could get it wrong... So should I try one of these DNA testing websites(I'm still gonna take him to the vet though, because of his wing)? Or should I just trust what the vet says? I'm sure the vet knows his stuff, but I mean, I've heard several stories about how people thought their bird was a boy and it was a girl, or thought it was a girl and it was a boy because they just looked at it without testing.

 

[wibitywab]

Uhhh, I think you need DNA to really tell if it is a boy or girl with green cheeks, I think this vet just wants your money....

 

[Rio Mom]

I would dna test to be positive. avianbiotech.com is where i went through. Not too expensive, and quick answer.

 

[AshleyNOatie]

Well, I gotta get Oatie's wing checked out cause when I bought him, they told me he hurt it and he carries it funny. So either way I'd have to go.

That's what I thought though! I mean, just cause you're a vet, doesn't mean your "sexing" skills are right every time. Thanks.

 

[AshleyNOatie]

That's the site I was gonna use! Lol. Thanks. Now I know it's not like, one of those scams.

 

[TVart]

^ exactly - swab from the throat (usually earscoop) or /and a few feathers , and send them to DNA test lab.... My friend working on DNA sexing for birds, here, in Belgrade... I dont knw how much it will cost you, but here is not that expensive.

 

[AshleyNOatie]

That's gonna be a hard process. Oatie is still kinda scared. :c I got him Saturday, and he's just now letting me pet him.

 

[wibitywab]

Take it slow, you don't need the DNA test immediately, do it when he feels comfortable with you!

 

[Rio Mom]

I was too chicken to pull the feathers myself, so I took my kit with me to the breedeer, and she kindly pulled them for me. You could probably ask the vet to pull them for you on a visit if you took a kit along.

 

[AshleyNOatie]

I think just that he's in a new home is why he's so scared. Like, when I bought him, I held him and he was just fine, he was playing with my hair and like, playing with my shirt sleeve. And when I got him home, it was like, a totally different story. :c I know I have to be patient, but I just don't want him to be scared. And he acts like he's really lonely. I've been playing parrot sounds with my iPad for him at times, and he just chirps when he hears them.. I really don't know what to do. He's my first bird, other than parakeets that I had when I was younger. And even then, they weren't afraid of me, and they weren't hand fed. Oatie was supposedly "handfed", but I'm starting to have doubts now... And I don't know how I'm going to get him to the vet if he won't even let me touch him. And he really needs to go to the vet about his wing.

 

[TVart]

That's gonna be a hard process. Oatie is still kinda scared. :c I got him Saturday, and he's just now letting me pet him.

Hm...thats kind of strange for hand raised conure...

 

[xreinx]

it takes time, not just for birds, but for other animals too. my kitten was born in a home, I got her home and she started acting like a feral kitty for a good month.

We have also had birds come in from homes that were "mean" birds, after a few minuets of handling, the bird learned not to bite and became wonderful, and this was in a shelter setting.

It takes time, each bird is diffrent, comes in from a diffrent home and because of diffrent reasons.

as for getting your bird to the vet, I have to say, towel it, its what we do to each and every one of our birds, including the turkeys and chickens. you can make a good bird kennel too, if you really wanted your bird comfortable with traveling. mesh on the front door and a unmoveable perch inside, just remember to block the sides, so they dont get so upset with things moving by.

 

[AshleyNOatie]

That's gonna be a hard process. Oatie is still kinda scared. :c I got him Saturday, and he's just now letting me pet him.

Hm...thats kind of strange for hand raised conure...

That's exactly what I thought... I honestly don't think I bought him from a good breeder..

 

[AshleyNOatie]

it takes time, not just for birds, but for other animals too. my kitten was born in a home, I got her home and she started acting like a feral kitty for a good month.

We have also had birds come in from homes that were "mean" birds, after a few minuets of handling, the bird learned not to bite and became wonderful, and this was in a shelter setting.

It takes time, each bird is diffrent, comes in from a diffrent home and because of diffrent reasons.

as for getting your bird to the vet, I have to say, towel it, its what we do to each and every one of our birds, including the turkeys and chickens. you can make a good bird kennel too, if you really wanted your bird comfortable with traveling. mesh on the front door and a unmoveable perch inside, just remember to block the sides, so they dont get so upset with things moving by.

I don't understand why he's so skiddish though. I've never heard of a "handfed" bird acting this way.

 

[xreinx]

well from the other posts Ive seen here, he could have been handfed, but not hand tamed.

there are birds like that out there, Ive seen my share, mainly cockatiels, when the owner finally got fedup with its behavior and bring them in to surrender.

usually I can get them useto being picked up within a week of getting there, though I have to say I am crude about it, when they need their cage cleaned, I just reach in and have them step up, if they dont, then they get toweled and put on the play area. they learn after a few days that stepping up is easyer then getting toweled.

You have time though, speak to him. show him that your his friend, give him treats. Go slow, it will come togather in time. hes probily just afraid.

 

[AshleyNOatie]

He came out of his cage for a few minutes today. But I didn't get to touch him or anything. And I tried to feed him a piece of fruit and he wouldn't even begin to get it from me.
I'll try what you said about that! Thanks!

 

[mrob]

hey, dont stress, if you got him on saturday hes doing just fine!!! It will take a while for him to settle down but the bird he was when you met him hasnt dissapeared! hes just still shy, he will be back to his normal self eventually.
um, im not sure if this is right or wrong - but i would can playing him the birdsounds and just talk softly and gently to him..... if hes replying to bird sounds (especially if he came from a home with lots of birds) he could be 'searching' - calling back and forth for a bird that never turns up! which can be a bit stressful..... when he should be bonding with you!! Just my opinion though....
For the DNA get the vet to pull the feather.....you dont want to be associated with all of those scary goings on!
Good luck, i know its a bit heartbreaking when you love them so much but they dont seem happy, but hang in there.
by the way, he is very very cute!! gorgeous little guy/girl !

 

[xreinx]

I cant find the posts, but they are out there, written by the super mod and senior members. but I do remember them, and most of them say just wait, let him get useto his surroundings, offer him food, when he is out, put him in the living room with you, talk to him and relax, when he is ready, he may even fly to you, but that may be down the road alittle.

 

[AshleyNOatie]

He finally came to me without acting like he was terrified! I'm SO happy right now! He's been sitting on my shoulder playing with my hair for about 30 minutes, maybe more. Thanks so much guys!

 

[Amber]

He finally came to me without acting like he was terrified! I'm SO happy right now! He's been sitting on my shoulder playing with my hair for about 30 minutes, maybe more. Thanks so much guys!

This is great! No need to rush, take it nice and slow and let him come to you

Some birds can be hand fed, but not actually well tamed, if that makes sense? If I took a bird, fed him and tossed him back in the cage without ever so******ing him he's not going to be very tame. He'd be used to people and being handled, sure, but only for food, so he's not going to be used to people as company and as companions yet if your hunch is right.