DNA Testing: Blood vs. Feather

[birdlover912]

I'd like to dna test Orrin and Apple-Jack. I recieved 2 blood sample kits in the mail, but I can't get myself to make them bleed. I'm so afraid I will hurt them trying to get the sample, and I can't imagine how much it hurts to get cut like that. A few days ago, I chickened out and ordered 2 feather dna testing kits. Has anyone ever used these? Do you really just pull feathers out?

Does one method or another seem less painful for the bird? I know they are both pretty accurate (there is dna in feathers too). I have no intentions on breeding either one, but it would be helpful to know for health reasons (egg binding and such). I also really want to know what they are too...

[alwaysontimneh]

I know that when we got Mr. DNA tested they just trimmed the nail a little too short and it was pretty simple he was pissed though. As far as I know for the feather one you do just pull out a feather but that sounds even more scary to me then a nail clipping.

[KDK241]

I have plucked the feathers before and it's really not as bad as it seems. It bothered me more than it did Monty. He was more concerned about being wrapped in the towel. I just grabbed a few feathers and pulled quick. I was lucky enough to get 6 feathers in one tug too so I didn't have to do it again.

[Lori~D]

MY FIRST BIRD DNA tests ABSOLUTLY SCREAMED when we pulled feathers for the tests. It was awful. Since then (and in my bird store) I have only done blood with a million times less pain and screaming. I just would clip with good clippers and someone else holding. A quick tiny bit at a time until I finally got blood then you have to remember to let go of the toe or it wont bleed and then get it again and squeeze just a bit to get the little bit you need. Pop a tiny bit of styptic on it and let the bird out of the towel to climb right on my hand - no big deal at all. FEATHERS WERE AWFUL _ ASK MY LIZ! even though I got them out fast. I did a few for clients too and it was just not good. Wont do it again. ever. Some birds done with blood never even seemed to notice I bled them. Some will scream just for the shear agony of being toweled,lol. "AHHH! IM being abused by my human!!!!" And you need to get about five feathers or so.

[hollyhawkz]

I'm a chicken poop... I got our Vet to do each bird. She did it when their nails were clipped and just clipped the smaller toe's nail out of the two back toes, a little short.

[my-africangrey-echo]

I have only done blood as well. None of mine even acted as if they knew it. I would think pulling feathers are much more painfull..

They were all just to concerned with having to get the nails trimmed. Now that's the real trauma as far as they are concerned..

[mmr]

what about the feathers that fall out during moutling? Can you use those?

[Addicted to Tequila]

Nope... have to be feathers that are still connected.

Go for blood... literally. I clip toenails about every other week... and in a month or two, I usually accidentally nick at least one. Easy peasy. And you need a REALLY small amount of blood... honest! It is not like you need to clip it so short as to be lastingly painful.

[Marley21]

Im in the same boat, I ordered 3 kits for Marley, Bindi and Pucki....Im not worried about plucking from Marley or Bindi, but I bet Pucki is goign to take off one of my fingers..I think I might order the blood kits instead too....its freakign me out...Im not goign to do it until my birthday but still....I dont want them to resent me for it...

[SisterBlue]

Huh. Beaker didn't even seem to notice when the breeder pulled feathers from his tummy. He gets pissed when you try to clip toenails, though....

-SB