An egg

[Natacha]

How can they keep track of which shell is for which bird? It doesn't seem reliable enough for them not to get mixed up unless it's being incubator hatched or they are all same sex?

The babies don't all hatch at the same time.
Therefore, he's able to take the eggs as the chicks hatch. He puts them each in an idividual bag and identifies which egg goes with each chick. Even with a day of difference, it's easy (apparently) to say which is which, just due to the development.

If he can't do them by egg or if they come incunclusive, he'll do the test with blood.

[Natacha]

Maybe not that long.
He'll try sexing with the eggs - he's done so in the past, it all depends if he can take the shells out in time.

Is it as accurate as DNA testing? Some places can apparently even use molted feathers, though that's not really relevant to your situation.

If there is a female, how long does it take the babies to wean properly? Or will you be bringing it home before it's completely weaned?

Meant to answer earlier but had to leave the computer..

He says it's pretty accurate. But then any DNA sexing method can come back with mistakes.

The babies would hatch mid-May and be ready for the end of August so about 3 months, which I've heard seemed to be somewhat the norm with Capes.

I'm bringing it home when it's weaned. Not before.

[CheekyandMalolo]

I know when my clutch of Tiels hatched you could tell no worries which was which. By the time the younger one caught up with the older one They were fully feathered!! And they hatched one day after the other.

[Natacha]

Egg #1 * might* hatch tomorrow!!! Or, at the latest, by Wednesday morning.

It's all rather exciting.

Now crossing my fingers for a girl.

[captwest]

Good luck, we're on "hatch watch " ourselves.

[zazanomore]

I hope you get your girl!

I love to see baby pictures

[kaylayuh]

Hopefully one of them's a girl, but wouldn't it be great if the first was? I too would love to see baby pictures!

[Chris&Akilah]

How much do Cape Parrots go for in Canada? Just curious, come to think of it I'm not sure what they sell for anywhere.

[GlassOnion]

There are a few breeders in Canada, I read they go for around 3500

[Natacha]

I know of three; one located in Manitoba, one in southern Ontario and one in Quebec.
Can't say what they all charge - one I was in contact with but didn't have babies at the time nor was she expecting any soon and was going to price them according to market value, one didn't get back to me and the breeder with those eggs I'm waiting after - well I won't be paying $3500.