GCC Identifying Mutation as chicks

Jolene7136

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I mentioned before that my pair of conures are a Yellow Sided male and a Turquoise hen with unknown splits.

We now have 5 chicks at almost 3 weeks old. I am trying to learn about identifying the mutations.

Seems we have some with white down feathers (with light beak and feet) which seems to indicate something other than Yellow Sides since they have grey beaks. I also seem to have some grayer colored ones that still have light beak and feet.

Does anyone have any information on what to look for in the chicks to try and figure out what mutations they may be?

I was under the impression that the gray feathers would indicate a normal green cheek, but the light colored beak is throwing me off.

I will try and get some pictures up this week, if I can figure out how.
 
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Jolene7136

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This is baby Red and Orange. Both born May 29th. One appears to have some gray fuzz, but has light beak and feet. (The red on their heads is my poor attempt at identification not blood)

wyqXmMQ.jpg
 
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MonicaMc

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Opaline Male x Turquoise Female

With no known splits....

100% Green Males split Opaline and Turquoise
100% Opaline Females split Turquoise


In short, any offspring that look like dad will be girls. Any that don't look like him will be males.
 
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Jolene7136

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Split would mean not visual correct?

So since turquoise have dark beaks and feet and all 5 of the chicks are light beak and feet. Can I assume all 5 are Yellow Sided females?
 

SilverSage

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Yes, unless they feather out as say, pineapples, but even then they would be female.


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Jolene7136

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Wow, what are the odds of all 5 being hens. How funny.

Thank you.
 

SilverSage

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There are studies on how to influence the sex of chicks. In some species we know it works, in some it’s all theoretical, and in Eckies they actually learned the mothers were “choosing the sex” of their chicks by throwing out the ones they didn’t want!


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MonicaMc

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Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
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Chicks are often born with horn colored beaks... so not seeing a black beak in a *young* bird does not indicate the chick is a yellowside.

Here's an example.... a growth journal of a hyacinth macaw chick. Photos aren't the best, but you can see that at 1 day old and 1 week old, the chick has a horn colored beak - the same color as the skin, basically. At 2 weeks old, the beak is pretty dark, but not black. By 3 weeks old, the beak is without a doubt, black.

Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) | Voren's Aviaries Inc


Same goes for the feet, which you can't really see all that well within the first few weeks of the hyacinth chick's life.


Saying that, they *might* be old enough to tell by now. Would need to see photos of their new feathers to be sure. :)
 
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Jolene7136

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I pulled the final 3 today (they are all 3 weeks or older) Still seem to have very light feet and beaks. I will try and get pictures tomorrow of each of them and post them. I will post the parents as well if I can get them to stay still.

Thank you all for the replies.
 
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Jolene7136

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Just for fun, here is a photo of papa. Sorry it isn’t very bright it is a cloudy day.

N4ytbUg.jpg
 
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SilverSage

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Oh no :( the picture isn’t working for me :(


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Jolene7136

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I have just realized that I think my Turquoise is a yellow sided Turquoise. She has a light beak and light feet and yellow on her wings. I would provide a photo but we had a cold snap right as they were building their nest and she pulled out all her chest feathers and some of her back feathers to line the nest. They are growing back but she looks like a typical new parent who hasn’t showered in who knows how long. Lol
 
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SilverSage

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Yes, I can see it now :)


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MonicaMc

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Do you have any old photos of her? Or even tail shots? Even a face shot could help!

If both parents are yellowsides, then that might explain why all the chicks are yellowside... in which case, you'd need to DNA sex them to figure out gender! LOL
 
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Jolene7136

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I tried to get one today. Going to look for my old ones. I will hopefully have something by tomorrow.
 
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Jolene7136

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Okay I have a few photos to share:

Dad, the Yellow Sided Green Cheek in the middle (Cheeky), and mama the Turquoise, possibly Yellow Side Turquoise (Ripley) on the far right.

IXajR9l.jpg


adN0WLY.jpg


Underbelly and tail:

155d9RM.jpg
 
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SilverSage

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Yes, absolutely 100% certainty she is a yellow sided turquoise. A favorite of mine!


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Jolene7136

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Thank you for putting up with all my questions.

So, they will be Yellow Sided Green Cheeks, but does she pass on any of her Turquoise as non visual? Is it a 50/50 chance, or if they are yellow sided then that took over the Turquoise?
 

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