Mutations/Sex

KayJeanne518 · Mar 10, 2014

My two cockatiels Frankie and Farrah just recently had their first clutch of 3 beautiful healthy babies. I was wondering if anyone may be able to tell me if the babies look like they are going to be pearl like their mommy Farrah? I think so but not 100% sure. Also, would I be able to determine sex? I don't know what Frankie and Farrahs parents were. If I need to get a dna test done on the babies I was told I could use their egg shells so I kept them in separate ziploc bags. Will they still be able to be tested giving as they are over 2 weeks old or no? Thank you and I look forward to feedback!

Here is the link to the photos of the babies I took yesterday and also the parents.
My Cockatiels Photos by kaylabean18 | Photobucket

MikeyTN · Mar 11, 2014

According to the website they said to dry out the shells then send it in for testing so you should be fine but do not touch the membranes within the shell. And as long as you know which egg belongs to which chick.

All I can tell is your chicks will be pieds for sure. It really depends on their genes which way it goes. You can sex them once they turn around 3-4 months old as the boys start their singing and carrying on. But I've been told some girls do it too. But I know they don't have the capability like the boys does.

KayJeanne518 · Mar 11, 2014

Yeah I've read the same about the egg shells. And my female happens to be the rare ones to whistle and occasionally talk lol so I'm not 100% about following those theories haha

I may just take them to get dna tested at my vet. The oldest will be 3 weeks old this Wednesday, When is it ok to take them to have them tested?

MikeyTN · Mar 11, 2014

I have a female that sings as well but she doesn't do anywhere my boys can. I've been raising them for a very long time and I'm usually pretty accurate in sexing them once they're a bit mature. Unless I know the parent's genetics which that makes it easier to determine. So I haven't had to DNA sex any of my babies ever. To me they're too young to do any testing cause they would either need their blood or feathers. I couldn't do that to a baby. Also when you stress them out when they're young, they can turn on you real quick and be terrified of you. In turn they will run from you and bite if you try to touch. But if you must do it I would wait until when they fledge.

KayJeanne518 · Mar 11, 2014

I will wait I am in no hurry

thank you for the quick feedback I appreciate it

MonicaMc · Mar 21, 2014

Parents appear to be pearl pieds, hen also cinnamon. All chicks will definitely be pied, and if all of them end up being pearl too, then there is no way to sex them until they mature and possibly start going through their first molt.

Can't tell for sure if male is visual pearl or not, but he is definitely split, at least.

I also have a hen that whistles!

Mutations/Sex

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1 Drowned Rat!

We have a new addition to our Family!!!

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