I need to get Bailey sexed myself (I can't stand not knowing whether one of my babies is a boy or a girl!!! I'm sick of saying "he", "she", "he", "she"). I'm going to go through Avian Services Center: DNA sexing and disease testing for all species of birds..

Is that an advisable company? Also, I was thinking about doing it through his feathers...but feel terrible thinking about plucking him! How do I pluck him with hurting him the least??? Or would you guys advise I get a blood sample by clipping a nail? Boy, I almost feel worse about that....

ADVISE ME!!!

I went through Avian Biotech for Ollie almost 3 years ago. I haven't heard anything bad about them. They send you a free collection kit and if I remember right it was less than $20 for the sexing. It took less than a week for the results to be posted online, then they send you a certificate in the mail.

I plucked (or rather, my dad plucked because I was too scared) 4-5 feathers from Ollie. She was about 3 months or so old at the time and it didn't seem to bother her in the least. Maybe she's just an odd birdie though. I couldn't stand making her bleed on purpose...3 years and no blood feathers or bleeding nails, woohoo!

Yea to go Camille and Ollie!!!

Okay...ow did he pluck them? Tweezers? *sigh*

I don't know if I can get Bails to hold still that long lol

The collection kits here need a pin prick of blood not even as much as a clipped nail.

what ever happened to lifting up a leg?

No, I think he just used his fingers. I held her and squeezed my eyes shut and he plucked them from her chest.

I could never pluck a feather from Ruby! Just decide what Bailey looks like to you and call her that. I don't think she/he will care.

The best way to do it is to ask your avian vet for a bit of blood the next time the bird has a check-up. I do that all the time with my new birds and my vet has never minded because the lab they use charges $60 for sexing while the online services are much cheaper and, as long as they are getting blood for a panel, it makes them no never mind putting a bit of it in the little tube they send.

Why put the bird through stress and pain unnecessarily?

I about fell out of my chair reading thatToo funny!

I WANT to know ASAP! I HAVE to know...for my own peace of mind lol

He's already had one nail cut to draw blood for his original DNA test through the place where I got him...but they never paid the lab -- so, I never got results! Grr.

I tried to trim his nails once and I cut one just a hair too short and he honked loudly at me and bled a bit...so he's a little used to pain LOL

I dunno if it'll hurt THAT much or for THAT long if I pluck a few feathers...I just don't want him getting cross at me for long...however, he wasn't at all when I trimmed his toe nail too long...