FINCHforum

I recently sent off for some DNA testing for five birds, and it was not an easy experience. I chose to do the blood testing, where you have to clip one nail and send the blood to the company on these little cards. I had everything I needed on stand by, but the kwik stop powder wasn't stopping the bleeding as quickly as I would have liked, and I just felt horrible each time I clipped a nail!

I got them to stop bleeding as much as I could, but I was really worried I would find someone dead at the bottom of the cage the next day. When I got up I immediately checked the cages, and all five birds looked great! I turned to glance at my biggest flight, and my heart sank. My favorite male gouldian, whom I've had less than a month, dead at the bottom of the cage Another unexplained loss.

slwatson

Oh no Stacie, he was beautiful. Did he seem thin? Get tangled in anything?

So sorry
He was beautiful

So very sorry. I hate these unexplained losses. I think it is the not knowing that is almost the worst.

I also hate DNA testing. It is amazing how short you have to clip a nail to get some blood, but it actually only takes one drop, so I clip a little at a time till I get that little bit of blood.

debbie276@Babs@Sally

He was perfectly fine when I went to bed that night. It was the craziest thing. I wonder if that cage got scared and he broke his neck or something.


@Sally

I tried so hard to not clip too far, but there were two that just bled and bled. Then they would try to fly away and splatter tiny droplets of blood

slwatson
He was a beauty. Sorry for your loss. What species were you DNA testing? Was it to determining the gender?

slwatson
Oh my goodness.....I HATE when the unexpected happens this way. At least if they are showing signs of illness, you can be prepared. I see he is a "blue"... I have not had one successful Blue live from my hatching this season....so heartbreaking. I have a lot of SPLITS....all very beautiful and healthy. Next season I am changing up the pairs so hopefully I will have some success. I am so sorry you lost your beautiful boy.

Hi, It is really not necessary to clip the nail.
Take a sharp thin disposable needle and deliver a quick prick just above the nail where the flesh starts- immediately a drop of blood will appear and that is all you need.
Be sure to use a new needle for every bird as not to get the results mixed up.

kyle

I was dna testing parrot finches to determine gender. Sometimes the males will sing, but it's hard to catch them!

cjkrit

Thank you so much for the suggestion! I'll try that next time

cjkrit wrote: Hi, It is really not necessary to clip the nail.
Take a sharp thin disposable needle and deliver a quick prick just above the nail where the flesh starts- immediately a drop of blood will appear and that is all you need.
Be sure to use a new needle for every bird as not to get the results mixed up.

I'd never heard of this, it would be so much easier than trying to cut a nail. I wonder if the tiny lancets that I use to test my blood sugar would work?

Sally

I think it's worth a try...

slwatson I'll bet they would, they are very fine, meant to bring up just a drop or so of blood on me, so I think they might do for the birds.

Sally,
Those little lancets will be perfect for the job.
Remember a new one for every bird you test.

cjkrit wrote: Sally,
Those little lancets will be perfect for the job.
Remember a new one for every bird you test.

These lancets actually will be easier. When I clip toenails, I have to disinfect the clippers between each bird, and many disinfectants are hard on metal. With the lancets, there will be no possibility of cross-contamination.