Home » Bird Forums » Community » General Discussion » Feather DNA testing
Posted by LastEchoes on Sat, 09/15/2007 - 14:03 :: General Discussion
I"m considering doing a feather DNA test. I've had my green cheek conure for 12 years and we just assumed he's male by the way he acts. On and off throughout the years, I've been considering doing a DNA test...

I"m a bit worried about the whole plucking feathers out thing. I'd imagine that it hurts and I don't want to hurt him. Has anyone done this? Any advice?
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Posted by karen on Sat, 09/15/2007 - 20:17.
I know about that. I have a greencheek too and I felt she was probably female by behavior after the first few years - I never knew for sure until she laid eggs at age 7.
I never did a DNA test.
The plucked feathers testing is supposed to not be too bad. You can also send for a blood collection card - then if you happen to cut a claw a little too short you can collect a drop of blood and send it off. I kept a blood collection card around for awhile but the only time I accidentally cut Chico's claw to the quick I couldn't find the card in time.

Karen
Chico (conure) and Pippin (budgie)
WI
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Posted by LastEchoes on Sat, 09/15/2007 - 23:11.
The idea of cutting the nail till it bleeds actually scares me even more. I'd NEVER do that. We rarely cut his nails as it is. He trims his own nails lol...It's part of his grooming...plus he's free range (wings aren't clipped and cage is open 24/7 so his nails get filed down a bit on its own from him running around)
I'm just afraid of hurting him.
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