DNA sexing Lovebirds Have you ever had lovebirds that you thought were a couple then, after a few years, never reproduced? Have you ever bought lovebirds from someone who thought they were a pair, but after a few years, they turned out to be all male or all female?
Have you ever sold lovebirds to someone with the information that the pair was ready to reproduce, only to discover that your prediction was wrong?
Lovebirds are a monomorphic species category, so there is no difference between males and females. It's not that there is no difference; it's just not obvious.
Only a few trained people can distinguish male and female lovebirds through the prediction stage based on observing signs and behaviours typical of males and females. This is, of course, based on experience with lovebirds over a long period.
But for young hobbyists, it could be more evident when predicting between male and female lovebirds. You will need a technology called DNA sexing or DNA testing.
What is DNA sexing?
The general and basic definition of DNA sexing is a method used to determine the sex of individuals by analyzing their DNA.
DNA sexing involves extracting DNA from a sample, such as blood, saliva, or feathers (in the case of birds), and then analyzing for specific genetic markers associated with sex.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is a common technique used in DNA sexing to amplify target DNA regions, making them easier to detect and analyze and increasing accuracy in these tests.
When is DNA sexing necessary for lovebirds?
In the context of lovebirds, DNA sexing is often used where it can be challenging to distinguish males and females based on external characteristics or phenotypes.
This method is precious in situations where knowing the sex of lovebirds is critical for breeding programs, conservation efforts, or research purposes.
DNA sexing will also be necessary when selling juvenile lovebirds of sex-linked recessive mutation (SL) ancestry, such as in opaline, pallid, cinnamon, pale, and SL ino, mainly for split birds.
This is done as a guarantee that the juvenile lovebirds you are selling are male. The economic value of sex-linked recessive mutations is higher for males than females. Because only males can inherit the phenotype in F1.
DNA sexing is also needed when you are still a beginner in breeding lovebirds because you are not used to predicting sex. Do not let you wait a long time, but the lovebirds do not reproduce, and it turns out they are all male or vice versa, all female.
Preparation for DNA sexing sample
In general, DNA sexing of lovebirds takes samples from blood or feathers. You can adjust to the condition of the lovebirds and the equipment you have.
DNA sexing blood sample
Prepare tools such as needles and paper, and ensure the tools you use are sterile so that the blood sample is not contaminated. Also, wash the part of the leg that will be stabbed with sanitizer.
Then, you can puncture the foot of the lovebird with a needle; you only need to take enough blood, maybe one or two points, so just stick the surface and not too deep, and it is recommended right at the tip of the lovebird's finger.
With a bit of pressure on the wound area, the blood will immediately come out like granules. Then, smear the blood out using sterile paper; it would be better to use a special report for blood samples.
DNA sexing of feather samples
This method is relatively easy and practical; you only need to pluck one or two feathers of lovebirds. Try to remove the primary feathers. Some people suggest plucking the tail feathers.
From the above method, there is one thing that you must notice, which is recording. Put the blood sample and feather sample in a small bag and mark it according to the identity of the lovebirds usually found on the armband if you apply it.
Then, the blood and fur samples are sent to your city's DNA test service provider. After waiting for some time, you will certainly get a certificate of the laboratory examination results.
You need to understand that a series of DNA sexing methods only help strengthen gender prediction. The accuracy of each laboratory may differ in the results.