Potential New Conure Owner

[guesswhokatysue]

DNA testing not cheap??? Ours was $20.00 to get done and took about 2 weeks. If you did not go to an exotic/all bird store, the lab they use probably charges more since it is not done in volume.

I live in Maine..I wish I could say it was only $20! My bet said around $150-$200! I don't think we have any exotic pet stores around here either..just the bigger corporate ones. I love where I live, but at the same time it would be nice to have some more options when it comes to my animals! I do plan to save up and shop around for a cheaper DNA testing cost. Either way, at some point we will get it done, just not right away. I know that the vet I used for my dog uses IDEXX labs for blood testing and to just test him for stuff was going to cost upwards of $200. Luckily he was all set after some antibiotics.

$20 wow..really? I'm jealous!

 

[AFP520]

We actually just got the certificate in the mail yesterday. If you want, I can at least forward you the information of the company that did it. Not sure if they work with individual customers (ours went through the store) but it's still worth a shot if it could save you money.

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Thank you! That info would be great to have! We do want to get our little one sexed, but at $200 a pop and $400 to just by the bird...it's one of those things that sort of has to wait a little bit. I personally just want to know cause nobody wants to give their birds a complex haha. Actually, it's just good to know. So thank you for offering that up, I would love to have that information!

 

[amysaviary]

OK DNA is very EZ and cheap! the website is
Avian Services Center: DNA sexing and disease testing for all species of birds.
19.50 for blood
24.50 for feather
go to the website and request a free kit and they will send it to u free. Then u do what they tell u and send it to them. U get the results with in 24-48 hours of them having the sample.

Blood u would clip a nail to short and put the drops of blood on the card they send u. Have quick stop ready if u do this! (My vet told me to always do blood)

Feathers u pluck 4-5 feathers from their belly and put them in the bag they send. Yes u much pluck them, they have to be fresh with DNA not molted feathers.

The longest part is waiting for the mail to get to u then back to them. It is very EZ and cheap!

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Holy cow! You have NO idea how helpful this is!! Thank you thank you! My boyfriend and I will definitely check that out and give it a try!

 

[AFP520]

Amy probably has me trumped, that's awesome they send free testing kits.

The company that did mine is below, and they do offer tests to the public.
Zoogen, Inc
PO Box 1157
Davis, CA 95617
800-995-BIRD (2473)
Home Page

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Thanks to both of you! I ordered the free kit and I don't even have the bird yet! haha..go me..

OK, so I think I am going to give you guys a complex here, but now I think I might get a baby(ish) Green Cheek.

Here's why:
-Way better pet store living conditions
-Much younger (a couple months compared to almost a year)
-The bird is a little cheaper
-The pet store offers a fantastic deal with 10% off everything bird related that you purchase with your bird (including a HUGE cage compared to what I would have gotten at the other pet store)
-SO I will be spending a TAD more, but getting SO MUCH MORE. I am practically giddy with excitement.

I know a lot of you guys have GCCs so what more can should I know?

 

[AFP520]

Make sure to get plenty of toys, and not necessarily expensive ones because the bird is going to OBLITERATE them in a very short time. They "teeth" like humans with their beaks, so they love to bite. Also, make sure not to put them all in the cage at once. Swap them out and move them around often, as the birds can get bored.

A good place that we buy toys from is: King's Cages - Avian and Pet Bird Cages, Supplies, Food, Toys, Perches, Aviaries, Pluck No More

They are around the corner from me, but their prices are great and shipping to Maine should not be that bad.

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Make sure to get plenty of toys, and not necessarily expensive ones because the bird is going to OBLITERATE them in a very short time. They "teeth" like humans with their beaks, so they love to bite. Also, make sure not to put them all in the cage at once. Swap them out and move them around often, as the birds can get bored.

A good place that we buy toys from is: King's Cages - Avian and Pet Bird Cages, Supplies, Food, Toys, Perches, Aviaries, Pluck No More

They are around the corner from me, but their prices are great and shipping to Maine should not be that bad.

I love everyone on here that has sites for things that are WAY more affordable. I will check that out! When I buy him/her tonight I will be getting 10% off all the toys, so we will stock up a bit, and explore more affordable options from the internet.

Thanks a lot! I will go check it out now

 

[Bobioden]

Just so you know, A dusty conure in not in the same family as a Green Cheek. They are part of the Aratinga which include the Sun and Jenday, and can be VERY loud. The Green Cheeks are from the Pyrrhua family, smaller and on the very quiet end of the conures.

I don't recommend any of the Aratinga family for apartment living, just for the noise factor.

 

[guesswhokatysue]

GCC is what we ended up with. A four month old