Yes, I’m making a thread about this...sue me!

Anyway! How are you guys doing? This thread is about Cashew’s DNA sexing process (with results coming soon!!!!)

I used the feather plucking method. I was going to take a video for educational purposes, but since this was my first time, I felt like I needed to talk to my bird to tell him/her that it was going to be ok.

Contrary to my previous belief, feather plucking is WAY less invasive than getting blood. I’ve read a lot about this, but I personally had to see it to believe it: My. Bird. Didn’t. Even. React!

Cashew didn’t even notice! I was probably supposed to pluck one or two feathers at a time, but my big clumsy fingers had other plans. I took about 5-6 in one shot, but as stated earlier, he/she didn’t notice. There was no blood, flinching, or any pain noted.

The samples have been sent, and I’m happy to say that the lab has received it yesterday, and they are already working to see the gender of my baby.

Updates to follow!

I used the blood method with Ducky and Pearl. I wish I hadn’t done it with Pearl, because she bled a lot more than she was supposed to. I had to hold her in a towel for 10 minutes and apply corn starch to her nail. It was terrible! She got blood all over her white feathers and I had to wash it off. Luckily Ducky bled just the right amount before it stopped.

In the past at least, 5 or 6 feathers was the preferred amount. Maybe they've gotten better at it and don't need as many now.

I've never done it myself, but I've seen someone else do it and that bird didn't react either. It's hard to understand, since we would certainly notice if somebody grabbed our hair and yanked a few strands out. But the birds don't seem to feel it. Normally they squawk like they're being killed if the least little thing hurts them, so I don't think it's because they're being brave.

Their website says they need about 8 feathers for lovebirds. I dont think Cashew was being brave, per say. I feel like it just doesn’t hurt them. Many birds pluck their feathers by themselves. We don’t tend to hear them scream bloody murder each time there is a yank. Maybe birds won’t pluck as much if it DID hurt them.

Quick journey indeed, but still a journey. Here is Cashew's gender.

I knew it. Pay up son.

Do you have a PayPal?

Dollar bills only. You know where to send it to.

Man, that inconvenient. I only pay with PayPal. It’s my pal.