DNA sex test

[Georgia Nana]

What is involved in DNA sex testing? How expensive is it?

 

[realsis]

I know of a lab that tests 1 to 9 birds for ONLY ten dollars!! No tax.i use the lab called Accumetrics here is the link www.accu-metrics.com/avain.php
its as simple as plucking a few chest feathers and sending them off in the mail. This lab serves world wide. I'm in California and just used them to sex my silkie babies. I recommend watching the video on their site about how to feather test. then I HIGHLY recommend you expedite the shipping. Because that takes the longest. Once the sample arrives its only takes about two days for results. Your welcome to private message me with any questions you may have. I identified the chicks with colored leg bands so a example of a sample would say feathers from buff green (the one with the green leg band) or feathers from buff blue. Then a example of the results would say buff blue male or buff green female. This way you won't get confused on who is who. I always pluck about three feathers from the chest of each baby. This way if a sample gets fouled for some reason they have some spare feathers to use. Each sample is in its own envelope and labled . hope this helps you out!! Only ten dollars for 9 samples is a incredible bargain.no reason not to test them!! I'm happy I got two girls out of my four tested.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Thread where a BYC member with silkies talked about getting her chicks tested.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/832732/dna-results-for-silkie-sexing-are-in/10
Pretty much all the companies that do animal DNA testing seem to do bird sexing, price varies but seem to run between $10 and $25 on average with discounts for multiples. Feather sexing is a few dollars more but a lot easier for the owner since it just involves plucking a few living feathers.
The Canadian lab that she uses, I have never used them but they are only $10 a test, the website has been down today so not sure what is going on. http://www.accu-metrics.com/avian.php
Another Canadian company http://www.healthgene.com/avian-dna-testing/ at $12
This is a US lab that also does them, have used them numerous times for dogs but not chickens. They have a pdf file to download on how to do the bird test, both by blood and feather samples. They are about $20 per test.
http://www.vetdnacenter.com/avian.html

If my silkies can't decide what they are pretty soon, may wind up testing them, getting impatient.

 

[Georgia Nana]

WOW!!!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! WILL GO TO THE SITE AFTER SUPPER TONIGHT AND WATCH THE VIDEO! THAT IS AWESOME!! THANKS AGAIN! EVEN I CAN AFFORD THAT!

 

[Georgia Nana]

THANKS!! WILL DEFINITELY DO ONE COMPANY OR THE OTHER. I WILL ALSO DO ON MY LITTLE RESCUE DOXIE/YORKIE? CROSS! I NEVER INVESTIGATED THE PRIVATE COMPANIES, SINCE MY VET SAID THAT IT WOULD COST $99 FOR HER! UGH! RIP-OFF!

 

[thatchickenlady]

I've had good luck with the first lab mentioned, but I think you'll be fine with either one...

 

[realsis]

I had great luck with Accu-metrics just used them again for my silkie babies. Can't beat their price!!

 

[suebee]

Thanks for the info! I just asked you this on the sexing silkie thread since your post almost made my eyes pop out of my head.

 

[cochins1088]

I know of a lab that tests 1 to 9 birds for ONLY ten dollars!!

The Canadian lab that she uses, I have never used them but they are only $10 a test, the website has been down today so not sure what is going on. http://www.accu-metrics.com/avian.php

I went on to the website and it says $10 plus HST per sample. Is it $10 per bird or is it $10 for 1 - 9 birds?

$10 per bird is worth finding out the sexes of my geese, but not for my silkies...

 

[TweetyNPetey]

Hi there,
I have a few questions about DNA sexing...
1. Does age of the chicks matter? Do they have to be a certain age?
2. Do you mail the feathers to the lab for testing ? Or do you have to go to--ah, yep, I'm confused.