DNA sex testing

[Wild_Flower]

I’ve been trying to decide whether or not I should get my 11 week old Silkies DNA tested. The suspense of waiting to find out genders is killing me but I’m also worried about obtaining a blood sample because I’m afraid I’ll mess it up somehow…also the thought of cutting one of their toenails to the quick kinda grosses me out. I just watched a video of this guy taking blood from one of his birds for a DNA test and the kit he had came with a little needle to prick their toe. So my question is, could I use one of those finger pricks for checking blood sugar on my chickens?? The test I’m going to buy (if I decide to do it) just says to cut a toenail and then to dab blood onto the paper they provide but do y’all think it matters how I got the blood to come out?? Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions y’all can provide!

 

[cherrynberry]

I’ve been trying to decide whether or not I should get my 11 week old Silkies DNA tested. The suspense of waiting to find out genders is killing me but I’m also worried about obtaining a blood sample because I’m afraid I’ll mess it up somehow…also the thought of cutting one of their toenails to the quick kinda grosses me out. I just watched a video of this guy taking blood from one of his birds for a DNA test and the kit he had came with a little needle to prick their toe. So my question is, could I use one of those finger pricks for checking blood sugar on my chickens?? The test I’m going to buy (if I decide to do it) just says to cut a toenail and then to dab blood onto the paper they provide but do y’all think it matters how I got the blood to come out?? Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions y’all can provide!

You are right at the point of sexing them by appearance. No need to DNA sex them, honestly. Unless you are not okay with waiting a few weeks, I believe there is such thing as pulling out a feather to get the blood. It does not matter how you got the blood out, just do not get it contaminated.

 

[esme13]

It depends on you and if you want to pay the extra to find out. I did the dna test and found out mine was a pullet. She was a week old back we I did it. I took nail clippers and very carefully nicked the wick of the toe vain. It didn’t even drip, I had to apply a little pressure to push the blood onto the paper. It wasn’t messy. But because the cut was very light , the blood clotted really fast. I’ve done it twice and just never cut much of the nail. Just a tiny bit to the wick.

 

[Wild_Flower]

You are right at the point of sexing them by appearance. No need to DNA sex them, honestly. Unless you are not okay with waiting a few weeks, I believe there is such thing as pulling out a feather to get the blood. It does not matter how you got the blood out, just do not get it contaminated.

That’s where I get confused…I’ve seen people post pics of their 4/5 month old Silkies and they get told it’s still too early to tell. I can’t tell the difference unless it has super obvious rooster traits so I have no idea how long it’ll actually take to find out

 

[cherrynberry]

That’s where I get confused…I’ve seen people post pics of their 4/5 month old Silkies and they get told it’s still too early to tell. I can’t tell the difference unless it has super obvious rooster traits so I have no idea how long it’ll actually take to find out

I would say you have another month to go. Depends on the bird.
Can I see your birds?

 

[NatJ]

I’m also worried about obtaining a blood sample because I’m afraid I’ll mess it up somehow…also the thought of cutting one of their toenails to the quick kinda grosses me out.

There's at least one place that can do DNA sex testing from feathers.
Just pluck a few feathers and send them in.
It's not particularly difficult to pluck a few feathers from somewhere like the breast (not the great big ones in the wing or tail), and the bird doesn't seem to upset either.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I have sent feathers in for DNA testing. There is a very specific way to do it. You also have to be very careful not to cross contaminate samples and have clean hands. There are several companies out there that do it. I have used IQ Bird Genetics and have been very pleased with their customer service. Turn around time varies on the season. I have gotten results back in as little as 6 days and as long as 2 weeks. They have been 100% accurate on the samples I have sent in (I also send eggshells from hatch in sometimes, too).
Agree your birds are getting close to being able to tell anyway.

 

[Tonyroo]

Why the rush in knowing the sex, when it will be so apparent soon?

 

[esme13]

Post some photos

 

[Wild_Flower]

Here they are