IT's A GIRL!

[rigidneophyte]

I had Rebel sexed at "the feathered coop" today when we went to meet the little one, and judging from the pelvic bones Rebel is a She-Devil. The breeder was so sure that i didn't get the DNA tested. We also figure Rebel is about 7 months since she's going through the first molt.

[kimsbirds]

.... I AM SO A MAJOR PARTY POOPER!!

Your breeders' estimate of Rebel's sex has a 50/50 chance of being correct ! Pelvic testing is purely a guess. Don't be fooled by anyone!
Blood or feather DNA is the only method I trust...I've got males who "pelvically" feel female, and females who are "pelvically" males!!

The only time I have found pelvic bones a semi-reliable method of sex determination is when I have a hen who's close to laying eggs. The pelvic bones spread to accommodate the egg passing through.

If pelvic testing were so definite, DNA companies wouldn't exist !

....SEE? I'm a party pooper :rofl:

Kimmie

[rigidneophyte]

i know its not definate, but hey if it saves me $25 + i'll take it. i'd like to think Rebel is a female anyway.

[Janie]

To Kimmie's reply, DITTO! 50/50. I thought you were having a real DNA done.:rolleyes:

[linda040899]

I have to agree with Kim on this one. I've had pelvically sexed "males" lay eggs! Rebel is an eye-ring species, correct? If so, take a look at the eyes. Males tend to have round eyes, while females tend to have almond shaped ones. You are looking at just the eye, not the ring around it. Honestly, I would trust this quicker than pelvic sexing. I would never sell a bird and guarantee the sex based on it, but it's always worked for me.

[Alexander]

i know its not definate, but hey if it saves me $25 + i'll take it. i'd like to think Rebel is a female anyway.

I'm feeling more and more ripped off, I paid $65 Canadian for my vet to do blood work on Poe. Not that the little bugger isn't worth every penny, but no one likes to get hosed. >:

[Janie]

Alexander, I don't really think you got hosed. When a vet DNA's a bird here, it think it runs $50. and I've read that Canadian prices run a little higher. Feather sexing is less, around $25 but that means you have to pluck those feathers and send them off for sexing. But at least those two methods are accurate.....100% for females and 99% for males. If I wanted to be sure, I would choose one of those methods.

[rigidneophyte]

i was going to, but, it doesn't really matter, as far as im cancerned its a she, and she does have more almond eyes also, so rebel is a girl in my eyes

[Janie]

i was going to, but, it doesn't really matter, as far as im cancerned its a she, and she does have more almond eyes also, so rebel is a girl in my eyes

I agree, it doesn't make any difference if you only have one and aren't planning to add a buddy or a mate for breeding.

When and if you get that first egg...you'll know for sure! :whistle:

[rigidneophyte]

she is getting a playmate, they've already met. she seemed to try and feed the baby, thats another reason i think Rebel is a girl

[Janie]

If "she" is getting a playmate, I would recommend a real DNA sexing. Do you want two hens that might not become buddies? Or do you want to breed? Depending on what you want, I definitely would suggest DNA sexing. Just my :2cents:

[linda040899]

If you are getting a lovie companion for Rebel, gender is a big concern, as is age! If Rebel is really a mature hen, she may not welcome a younger bird in her cage, if that's what you are planning on doing. Many hens have been known to injure or even kill a younger bird, simply because a younger male cannot satisfy her needs or a younger hen is seen as an intruder in her cage rather than as a companion.

Breeding is also a concern. If Rebel is a female and you get her a male companion, it will become your responsibility to find the babies good, loving homes or keep them all. A typical clutch of lovebird eggs can be anywhere from 4-8 and the number of fertile ones can vary. Let's say you have 4 fertile eggs in 3 clutches and all chicks survive. That's adding 12 birds to your household in one year of having to find homes for all of them! Trust me. As a breeder, I can tell you that lovebirds are very prolific!!!

Last concern is quarantine. If you bring a new bird into your home, minimum quarantine time is 30 days. That's for Rebel's safety.

[rigidneophyte]

im well aware of the problems associated with getting another bird. Rebel has already met her new companion at the breeders and i am getting another cage for the new bird.

Rebel did fine with the little one when they met and also met other younger birds at the breeders, male and female, she was fine. Im not going to put a bird in with Rebel, Im going to have them in two separate cages until i am sure they will bond, or at least deal with each other. if not, I have another cage.

Im not an idiot. I talked to the breeder and got information from this board about how to go about getting another bird.

Besides you can't be serious and tell me that everyone on this board has DNA sexed all of their birds.

[kimsbirds]

I don't recall anyone saying you were an idiot?
This is a board for learning and the advice and knowledge found on it is based on experience. Nobody is judging you. Nobody is telling you what you have to do. Everyone who has posted with you about Rebel is simply giving you sound advice and reminders on how to go about making Rebel's life wonderful. Since you've only owned Rebel for a few weeks, I'm sure you don't admit to knowing everything, nor do any of us. It's based on experience.
I for one, will refrain from any further conversation on this particular thread as you've made it clear that you are closed-minded to others' experiences, knowledge, and their advice.
Best Wishes with Rebel

[rigidneophyte]

i have no problem with people stating their experiences, it just when they say things as facts that are not facts, just their opinion. such as "gender is a big concern, as is age" well yes it can be, but it varies from bird to bird.
This is right after i say that Rebel has met the new bird at the breeders. Meeting my responses with direct disagreements doesn't really help with anything.

Also, notice how no one has actually said anything positive this entire thread? other than Janie who then disagreed after she found out that I was getting another bird.

[linda040899]

Since you obviously want to learn by your own experiences, I will not share any more of mine, either. If you are looking for us to agree with things that normally raise red flags in our minds, perhaps you have come to the wrong community. We are here to help, even if you don't necessarily like what we have to say. We are not being negative or suggesting that you are an idiot. Nothing could be further from the truth. If someone could have made suggestions to me when I first got into birds so that I did not have to learn the hard way, I would have been forever grateful to have skipped some of the lessons I've had along the way.

[rigidneophyte]

you are the people that suggested i get Rebel a companion in the first place!

[Keltoth]

Besides you can't be serious and tell me that everyone on this board has DNA sexed all of their birds.

I don't think that everyone has; sadly, some folks are too mule-headed and advesarial to do it, even when being made aware of what the serious repercusions to their lovebirds could be. However, I can say that I have. With 22 adult lovebirds and (currently) another dozen-ish babies 10 weeks and younger, I can tell you firsthand that knowing the sex of our birds is your first line of defense in protecting and maintaining flock harmony, and I don't send babies to new homes without having a DNA test done on each chick - whether the new owner really wants it done or not.

You are right, things vary from bird to bird; I personally have one 18 month female who recently chose to set up house with a male that was 6 months old at the time of copulation - and their situation bucks the trend of not placing older hens with younger males. Having said that, there are trends that lovebirds fall into that are not invalidated by abnormal abberations, and only a fool would ignore those trend concerns by trivializing them through saying that lovebirds are individuals - and then dismissing such concerns out-of-hand.

Could two birds possibly be alright with each other without knowing either sex beforehand? Sure! One bird could ALSO decide to kill the other bird - ESPECIALLY where hens are entered the equation - just as easily.

If you want to ignore people who have chosen to share their learned experience with you - experience that has, at some point, been learned through tragedy and the injury and/or death of lovebirds long gone - then that is your business. It is most unfortunate that birds in your care may have to suffer the ultimate price for your hubris, but I'm sure that if tradgedy should befall your birds that you will get over it with a minimum of heartache, and will simply replace any dead/maimed birds with new, healthy ones. At least your pride and sense of independence will remain intact - and that's what's REALLY important when all is said and done, isn't it?

Stick it to the man. No one is going to tell you what to do; job well done.

[LauraO]

Also, notice how no one has actually said anything positive this entire thread? other than Janie who then disagreed after she found out that I was getting another bird.

I just wanted to add a few comments. The replies are not meant to be negative but informative. Many of us who have been on the board a while see people all the time getting wrong facts about lovebirds, etc. There are tons of myths about sexing lovebirds and breeders, petshops, etc. have been known to take advantage of this if there's a sale involved. There is also the possibility we will have someone on the board read your thread, and if there was no one replying and stating the FACTS about lovebird sexing they may think pelvic exams are the way to go.

We on the board also get very worried about the lovies we hear about. I can't tell how sad and frustrating it is when we hear about people just throwing any ole birds (not always the same species) together and having something very bad happen. We all want to avoid that at any cost!

I have 22 lovies and have not DNA'd one of them. Of course, I do wish I had found this board long before I ever had my first lovie so someone could have told me of some of the lovebird dangers and how prolific lovies are. Before I found this board, I lost my favorite lovie because he wasn't caged when we left home and he got out the window. I also started with 4 lovies and found out the hard way how prolific they are. I have 22, and that's not counting all the one's I've sold or found homes for. It's a very heartwrenching experience and it tears both my husband and I up every time a lovebird leaves our home:cry: .

Anyway, I hope all goes well with your new lovie and I think it's great you're going to cage them separately. I'm also glad that you've been sticking it out and making Rebel an important part of your life. She is a cutie :) .

[Mummieeva]

My two are not sexed. Simply for fact they are never allowed out together. Whisper does not like Bandit one bit any more. Even after she loved him. If birds are going to be out together they should be sexed to be safe. If I ever bring a new bird into my house(which i doubt i will) they will be sexed so i know for sure.



Steph

[Janie]

I guess it's a little late to remind you about a 30 day quarantine.

Yes, I did say gender doesn't make a bit of difference unless you are hoping to pair your existing bird up with another bird. Either as companions or for breeding. Then, it does make a difference. Not one that you can't live with but one that would make a transition much easier for you and the birds.

In my case I did not want a hen and I figure that the $25 it cost me to find out the sex of both of the birds I bought from my breeder last year was a small price to pay. I plan to have these birds for 15 to 20 years and didn't want to "wait and see" what I might have or how they might get along.

[rigidneophyte]

the new bird will be DNA'd sexed, but Rebel, well, not now. I understand your fears and concerns and value your opinions, and if anything happens you will be the second to know (first will be the Vet) and yes, i am a stubborn person, i admit that, and i really want it to work but, if it doesn't im willing to suffer the consiquences. I don't believe the breeder would have told me she's so sure its a girl she didn't think the DNA test would prove anything diffrent. especially since that doesn't promote a sale or help secure the safety of the chick that I will be obtaining in a month or two.

again, I will quarentine the bird excessivly, for Rebel's saftey, the chicks safety and also mine, I hope that the chick will be alittle more friendly and hope to work with it alone first.

[sdgilley]

Hi Beccy,
Are you getting another Green Masked lovie? I have one and he's adorable. It's funny, when my hair was much longer I took a picture of Peter (my masked) peeking out of my hair much like your avitar. Peter is very expressive (although he's a biter birdie).

[TammyG]

I just happend to be reading all of the posts on this subject today and had a comment. Its actually not about her bird or lovebirds. But I had a Cockatiel and a Sunconure in the same cage for the longest time. They got along great! They would prune each other and I would catch them cuddling all the time. My SunConure is now dead. I miss him/her soooo much! Its name was Tika. We believe we killed the bird with our kisses. I didnt know that our saliva would kill them :cry: The bird did not have any injuries on it at all. But I just wanted to tell you about having 2 different bird species in the same cage. I have a lovie now and my cockatiel hisses at it. So obviously they dont get along lol...Yes they are in two different cages :) My lovie loves to give kisses but we make sure to keep our mouths shut!

Tammy

[rigidneophyte]

yes its another greenmasked lovie, just a dew weeks old but very energetic.

[Mummieeva]

LOL Tammy. Lovebirds are the pit bull of the bird world. It is nto often they like a member fo a diffrent bird species. A lvoebird will go attact a Macaw if they feel like it. I have only heard of 2 lovebirds every who liked other birds. One was a Budgie and lovie who were in lvoe. The other was a lovebird and tiel. Both sets were males and they were together early one.



Steph

[TammyG]

I had a lovebird and a few parakeets that lived together at one time. They got along for the most part, but the Lovebird was the Queen of the bunch lol

Tammy