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QUESTION I HAVE AN AMAZON THAT WAS SURGICALLY SEXED AS A YOUNG BIRD PRIOR TO ME OBTAINING IT. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INFORMATION ON THE SEX OF THIS BIRD AND THERE ARE NO TATOOS ON THE WINGS. WOULD IT BE HARMFUL FOR THE BIRD TO BE SURGICALLY SEXED AGAIN? DNA SEXING IS OUT OF THE QUESTION AS I HAVE HAD FALSE RESULTS ON OTHER BIRDS IN THE PAST!

#1 If your Amazon was, in fact, SS, it would have a black ink tatoo under right or left wing (like at armpit....on under-side of wing).

#2 Were you "told" it was sexed when young.....by who you obtained bird from?? Did they furnish SS certificate signed by Avian Vet??

#3 No, it is not harmful to have SS done again. I occasionally have it done to determine if a breeder has reached sexual maturity.....or is ready for a rocking chair & slippers......& also if production is not what it should be, we like to determine that there are no cysts on the ovary, for example. Plus, while the vet is inside with the laparoscopic instrument, he/she can observe the surrounding organs to see if they are healthy.

I agree, DNA testing is not always accurate, & as a breeder, I don't just want to know what sex a bird is, but if it is functional sexually........& that can only be answered by SS. Also, when the bird is under anesthesia, it can be given a thorough external physical exam, etc. with no muss nor fuss........let alone blood!

Hope this is of some help to you. If you would like to speak to an Avian Vet that does SS, just contact me & I'll give you name & #.

Barb P.

THANKS BARB,
I'M GOING TO HAVE DR. MCDONALD DO THE SURGERY IN OCTOBER WHEN HE COMES BACK AROUND. HE NEEDS TO BE PUT UNDER ANYWAY TO GET A BEAK TRIM AND PHYSICAL. I WAS NEVER FURNISHED WITH ANY PAPERWORK WAS ONLY TOLD IT WAS SURGICALLY SEXED BUT I LOOKED AND COULDN'T FIND ANY TATOOS SO I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST HAVE IT DONE AGAIN IF NOT HARMFUL TO THE BIRD TO HAVE A SECOND INCISION. I APPRECIATE YOU ANSWERING MY QUESTION THANKS AGAIN JULIE

Just curious, through what place did you do the DNA sexing through?