Birds
Sexing Birds
It is difficult to accurately determine the sex of some species of birds due to the fact that both male and female birds may have the same outward appearance. In addition, there are no external sex organs. In the past, the only way to definitely determine the sex of a bird was by surgical sexing which involves anesthesia and an incision into the abdomen to visualize the sex organs.
Now, blood cell DNA analysis provides a safe and accurate alternative to surgical sexing. A small amount of blood is drawn from your pet and sent to the laboratory and the sex is determined by analyzing the sex chromosomes in the blood cells. You will receive a certificate from the laboratory that states what the results of the test were. The test is 99.9% accurate.

In addition to the DNA sexing, you also have the option of joining the GeneMatch Registry through the Zoogen Laboratory for an additional fee at the time the blood is sent in. This means that the blood is stored permanently in two locations under carefully controlled conditions so that it can be used in the event that the DNA is ever needed for a DNA “fingerprint”. The DNA fingerprint can be used to confirm the identity of the bird if it is lost or stolen and then recovered. The fingerprint can also be used to assess the bird’s degree of relatedness to other birds, allowing you to prove that the bird was domestically bred (provided that the parental birds are available for sampling). You can also use this information in breeding programs, to prevent the pairing of related birds.

The charge for the DNA sexing is $56.00 and can be done easily on an outpatient visit with a small blood sample. The charge for the GeneMatch Registry is $30.00. Now the answer is available safely and easily to that question you’ve always wanted to know… is it a boy or girl?
© 2004 Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital