GENDER DETERMINATION

In many ornamental birds the genders cannot be identified from the outside, because their plumage differs in a UV reflective pattern that can only be seen by the birds, not by the human eye. There are currently two reliable methods for determining their gender, molecular and endoscopic. At our clinic both methods are available, for molecular examination we send a blood sample or a feather to a laboratory for examination, while for the endoscopic examination we make a small incision in the abdominal wall and thus can see the gonads on the screen. The latter method seems more complicated, but has many advantages - during the examination we can also determine the development and health of the gonads, and can get important information about several other organs as well. Because of this, we advise to use the endoscopic method for birds bought for breeding or when their age and background is unknown, and the molecular method for birds with known origins or when they are kept as pets.