DNA testing, and Microchipping Birds.
-
BluJay
I have six birds I would like to sex via DNA testing. What companies do you recommend. Also I would like to microchip these same birds. Is this safe to do to my birds? Any and all information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
-
Lachlan1
- ...............................
- Posts: 234
- Joined: 03 Aug 2014, 21:06
- Location: Castle Hill NSW
Never heard of microchipping birds. Here is a bunch that do DNA sexing http://www.dnasolutions.com.au/dna-sexing.htm
-
finches247
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- Posts: 2546
- Joined: 04 May 2011, 20:16
- Location: Whangarei Northland New Zealand
Just says birds not a fincharthur wrote:A vet's opinion would be far more valuable than mine, but I think that micro-chipping a finch would be cruel and possibly life threatening
And . . what would be your reason for chipping a finch
So Blujay,which type of bird are you wanting to microchip ?
-
Myzomela
- ...............................
- Posts: 1545
- Joined: 24 Jan 2011, 18:44
- Location: Melbourne Vic
We commonly microchip parrots but not finches. You could do it with the smaller microchips now available but they would have to be given under the skin and as Arthur has asked why would you?
DNA sexing is done by several companies including MDS Australia, Dr David Groth at Curtin University and DNA solutions in Melbourne.
Some labs are more reliable than others.
DNA sexing is done by several companies including MDS Australia, Dr David Groth at Curtin University and DNA solutions in Melbourne.
Some labs are more reliable than others.
Research; evaluate;observe;act
-
BluJay
@Lachland1, thank you for your response, and information. I will look at the link you provided. I know I have read on THIS forum that it costs around 20.00. However, the company my vet suggested is 20.00 for the kit and 9.50 for the test. Was wanting to learn options as to companies. Again thank you for your response.
@Finches247, smart bird you are. I am wanting to sex and microchip a blue Macaw, eclectus, and some rare mutation lorikeets. All hand raised, so sexing was not important. The Microchipping is because my partner has been fed stories how some sap may decide to steal your bird(s). As I like to push their large cages on to the porch on nice sunny days, and when I put large dog dish in their cages to bathe. Fun to watch, but messy.
As to Microchipping a finch, it would take someone in need of a short bus to so such an evasive procedure on such a tiny animal. I am not a big fan of Microchipping of any animal. Microchips can migrate and have been known to be carcinogenic. However, I firmly believe tattooing is the way to go. Not with a bird though. I wanted to hear what others experiences have been with Microchipping, if any.
Regards
@Finches247, smart bird you are. I am wanting to sex and microchip a blue Macaw, eclectus, and some rare mutation lorikeets. All hand raised, so sexing was not important. The Microchipping is because my partner has been fed stories how some sap may decide to steal your bird(s). As I like to push their large cages on to the porch on nice sunny days, and when I put large dog dish in their cages to bathe. Fun to watch, but messy.
As to Microchipping a finch, it would take someone in need of a short bus to so such an evasive procedure on such a tiny animal. I am not a big fan of Microchipping of any animal. Microchips can migrate and have been known to be carcinogenic. However, I firmly believe tattooing is the way to go. Not with a bird though. I wanted to hear what others experiences have been with Microchipping, if any.
Regards
-
Myzomela
- ...............................
- Posts: 1545
- Joined: 24 Jan 2011, 18:44
- Location: Melbourne Vic
Migration of microchips usually occurs when chips are improperly implanted. In most of the larger species of birds they are implanted intramuscularly under a general anaesthetic- migration is just a non issue.
As for them being carcinogenic where did you get that information from?
The chips are encased in a silicon case which is inert. They do not emit any radiation or signals unless they are activated by a microchip scanner. The only possibility of an issue is if a chip is broken. Again this is extremely unlikely when implanted intramuscularly as in most larger birds. I am not talking about finches here.
Microchipping still remains the most reliable form of permanent ID in animals.
Tattooing is a waste of time in birds- their thin skin and subcutis layer means that the dye spreads and is lost after a few months. It is only used by some vets particularly in Europe to identify birds which have been surgically sexed and only lasts a few months.
At the end of the day the choice is up to each individual. Do what you are happy doing.
As for them being carcinogenic where did you get that information from?
The chips are encased in a silicon case which is inert. They do not emit any radiation or signals unless they are activated by a microchip scanner. The only possibility of an issue is if a chip is broken. Again this is extremely unlikely when implanted intramuscularly as in most larger birds. I am not talking about finches here.
Microchipping still remains the most reliable form of permanent ID in animals.
Tattooing is a waste of time in birds- their thin skin and subcutis layer means that the dye spreads and is lost after a few months. It is only used by some vets particularly in Europe to identify birds which have been surgically sexed and only lasts a few months.
At the end of the day the choice is up to each individual. Do what you are happy doing.
Research; evaluate;observe;act
-
BluJay
@myzomela, thank you for you input. If you re-read what I stated, it would be clear, I did not say to tattoo a bird. There are many studies that demonstrate microchips can and do migrate, as well as cause cancer in both human and animals. Here is one quick source. http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/im ... se-cancer/
I do not know how it is done with larger birds. I was inquiring only, because my partner wants it done, and I don't agree with it.
One thing I have learn about this forum is most people on it know everything, and I mean everything. So this is the place I came to inquire.
Regards
I do not know how it is done with larger birds. I was inquiring only, because my partner wants it done, and I don't agree with it.
One thing I have learn about this forum is most people on it know everything, and I mean everything. So this is the place I came to inquire.
Regards
-
Myzomela
- ...............................
- Posts: 1545
- Joined: 24 Jan 2011, 18:44
- Location: Melbourne Vic
Hi BluJay
Thanks for your comments. In answer to them I would say the following.
1) Microchip migration occurs occasionally in dogs and cats because it is implanted under the skin. As I stated above this is not the case in birds.
2) The cancer links are fairly tenuous. Nearly all the cases are in mice or rats. In the only dog case mentioned the tumour was similar to that caused by a foreign body. Pets are more likely to develop a tumour of this type from a splinter than they are from microchips. From the thousands of animals microchipped in Australia alone and hundreds of thousands worldwide- these are the only individual cases they come up with?
Microchipping is the only way to permanently ID your bird. If it is stolen or escapes and is found again it is the only way to prove that the bird is yours. Leg rings can be removed. Unfortunately there are not many choices for identifying birds permanently.
As I said the choice is up to the individual. But scaremongering by claiming that they're carcinogenic is just not fair and is not supported by the statistics. Many more birds die from leg ring complications than microchips on a percentage basis.
I have microchipped many birds, including my own. Some were done 20 years ago and still have these chips and are not showing any ill-effects. Nothing is fool-proof but I would not hesitate to microchip valuable birds.
Thanks for your comments. In answer to them I would say the following.
1) Microchip migration occurs occasionally in dogs and cats because it is implanted under the skin. As I stated above this is not the case in birds.
2) The cancer links are fairly tenuous. Nearly all the cases are in mice or rats. In the only dog case mentioned the tumour was similar to that caused by a foreign body. Pets are more likely to develop a tumour of this type from a splinter than they are from microchips. From the thousands of animals microchipped in Australia alone and hundreds of thousands worldwide- these are the only individual cases they come up with?
Microchipping is the only way to permanently ID your bird. If it is stolen or escapes and is found again it is the only way to prove that the bird is yours. Leg rings can be removed. Unfortunately there are not many choices for identifying birds permanently.
As I said the choice is up to the individual. But scaremongering by claiming that they're carcinogenic is just not fair and is not supported by the statistics. Many more birds die from leg ring complications than microchips on a percentage basis.
I have microchipped many birds, including my own. Some were done 20 years ago and still have these chips and are not showing any ill-effects. Nothing is fool-proof but I would not hesitate to microchip valuable birds.
Research; evaluate;observe;act