Not sure if this is the right place on the forum but I was wondering if you guys thing $150 for dna testing for sexing is too much? To me it sounds like a lot but that is what my local vet is charging and wondering if that is the norm..I wasn't planning on sexing my bird but now I am going to pick up a second bird a male alexandrine and now I want to check the sex out of my golden conure..

Every vet is going to have different pricing, pricing may vary depending on what lab they use and what it costs for them to get it there. Mine charges $55, he said he sends his DNA testing to a facility out in California. It may be a little pricey, but you only do it once. I would be willing to pay that price to have piece of mind, if it were my bird.

I live in California too..I'll call around and see what is the going rate because I had a option before when I first purchased my bird for $50 but I passed on it because I really didn't care then..I was just going to wait and see if she or he ever lays a egg..

I would think then that the price should be about the same if not cheaper, since you are in the state that mine had to be sent too. I do think it is very important to know whether you have a male or female. With males you don't have to worry about egg laying, if you have a female then you don't want to encourage the behavior because of the serious health risks involved with egg laying.

Well Avian Biotech charges $19.50 for DNA testing. My vet charges around $55.00. I have done it both way. For smaller birds like Lovebirds, Conures, Cockatiels etc. I don't mind clipping the tip of a toe nail to get a drop of blood and send it myself. However, for my Grey or Pionus, I let the vet or the breeder (if I get the bird from one) do it, their nails are harder and black so it is hard to see the quick. Breeders usually charge around $25-35.

$150 for a DNA test is crazy!!!! WAY overpriced!

__________________

I'll shop around at some local vets because $150 sound like a lot at this first place I called. I'm guessing because it is located in a upscale location. The place that was going to charge me $50 was at a pet store and I'm not sure where they get it done at but that is 2 hours away from me..Will see I'll pay no problem I just don't want to over pay..

Goodness I'd never do the blood sample! Haha. There's websites that you can send off some feathers too for a much cheaper price, maybe consider that?

I was thinking of that too..But to be honest I'm a chicken to pull a feather off my bird..

Get them when they're sleeping.

Merlins getting dna sexed soon, feather plucking method, however he's getting microchipped at the same time so he'll be knocked out whilst the feathers are being yoinked, so I'm quite greatful for that really as I'm the same about it, the less distress for the bird the better!

Micro chipped..I was debating on that since there are not to many of type of my bird..But I called again to confirm the price and it's 150 for just sexing which is a blood method and 88 for office visit..Then I called another vets office at they charge $55..