Sex determination parrots

[lzver]

I don't think DNA sexing via the surgical option is commonly used in North America ... not that I've heard of anyways.

I would much rather have a nail clipped a little too short to collect a blood sample or pull a feather as opposed to putting my birds through the stress of surgery ... no matter how minor the surgery is considered.

[bmsweb]

I would much rather have a nail clipped a little too short to collect a blood sample

Interestingly DNA Solutions don't recommend nail clipping method but rather a light prick to the toe area to draw a drop of blood. I feel much safer doing it this way after showed us exactly how to do this. In their pack they provide you will a Prick Needle for each bird along with all the paper work and plastic pouches.

[Natacha]

I would much rather have a nail clipped a little too short to collect a blood sample

Interestingly DNA Solutions don't recommend nail clipping method but rather a light prick to the toe area to draw a drop of blood. I feel much safer doing it this way after showed us exactly how to do this. In their pack they provide you will a Prick Needle for each bird along with all the paper work and plastic pouches.

Well someone mentioned, and this makes sens, that some people do it by nail clipping and forget to propely clean the area first - which means you can get whatever contaminants in your sample which might alther the result.

I took blood samples by the nail clipping method on three of my birds but followed the instruction (and common sens) and desinfected the nails as well as the clippers I used between each bird.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Would it be less likely to create an aversion to handling by doing something unusual (pricking a foot) rather than causing discomfort doing something that's a regular part of handling (clipping nails) ?

[bmsweb]

Would it be less likely to create an aversion to handling by doing something unusual (pricking a foot) rather than causing discomfort doing something that's a regular part of handling (clipping nails) ?

Clipping Nails is not a regular part of handling young chicks. It's also worth noting that I favored plucking feathers over the blood method, but once shown I can't see myself doing it any other way. I might video my wife doing the toe pricking method when we get to that stage, its really so not a big deal at all and causes the least amount of discomfort to the bird.

[TheNzJessie]

i dont understand the point of dna sexing unless your breeding, is there any advantage in knowing if for not going to be breeding and you already have the bird?

[Michael]

Isn't nail clipping painless, unlike toe pricking?

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Isn't nail clipping painless, unlike toe pricking?

You have to slightly quick the nail to get the blood sample.

I think it is useful to know the bird's sex since it helps set a context for health concerns.

[Rue]

i dont understand the point of dna sexing unless your breeding, is there any advantage in knowing if for not going to be breeding and you already have the bird?

I agree with you...if it's a pet, it's a not a big deal for me...I don't care if it's a girl or a boy. I suppose the only reason that would be valuable is in the case of egg-binding. If you know you have a girl, you'd watch more for that possibility.

Having said that...our Amazon is a girl...she was surgically sexed at some point (has a sexing band). I'm guessing (from behaviour) that the Pionus is male and that the CAG is a female. I know my two 'tiels are girls...

They all have unisex names...just in case I ever find out my guesses are wrong...

[Michael]

Right, but they shouldn't feel the nail being overcut where as the toe prick would hit nerves?