Possible to id sex of pied/grey babies?

[KathS]

A friend of mine has a few babies from a yellow pied hen(what is that called in avian genetics?) and a grey cock. There is one grey (split to pied?) and three mainly yellow chicks.

Am I right thinking that you cannot ascertain chicks sex from this combination of parentage?

One day it may all make some sense to me, but I'm still confused by genetics

Somebody sniped me for the Guide to Cockatiels and their mutations book on ebay the other night but I will get one one day.

Cheers
Kath

[Laraine]

Join the crowd, I'm still confused. There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum so I'm sure someone will sort you out.

[KathS]

Thanks Laraine.

If I understand it correctly from other posts, pieds can't be visually identified. (thanks Kim)

I have now printed off Frank's article and when the kids have gone to bed, will attempt another read. Need to defrag my brain before I can process any more information - if only it was that easy ;D

Have also managed to secure a copy of Guide to Cockatiels and Their Mutations, so I might just work it out one day

[hillcresttiels]

Hi Kath I will let Anna help you with this one! ;D glad you found the Article read it over a few times and it will slowly sink in!

Frank

[lovemytiels]

Hi Kath, I hope to get this right. You say that the female is a pied female & the male is grey but you have one grey baby & 3 mostly yellow chicks. Do the chicks have any black on them at all, & if they do then I would say the male is also carrying the split or hidden gene for pied making the yellow chicks pied baby's which can be either male or female. Sometimes grey baby's will have what is called tic markings or yellow feathers at the back of the head or even under their head indicating it is carrying the pied gene or sometimes it shows up in one clear toenail. The grey baby could be either male or female. Was this the answer you were looking for. It took me a long time to get my head around genetics, but I found myself by writing down what babies I got from certain pairings & referering back to the books I had, & one day it all clicked ;D. If I have stuffed it up Frank will sort it out for you. . Cheers Anna

[KathS]

Thanks Anna.

I thought I was starting to understand it when I read somewhere that a male platino couldn't have a platino female chick - so I was a bit thrown from what I thought I understood.

But just now when I was trying to find where I read that, I found Frank's article about the Platino Effect and that light has just switched on. ;D phew! this is hard work.

I only asked the question because I have just been offered a four week old chick to hand raise and due to past experience was hoping to choose a female - if I choose to accept the challenge. I have done a bit of reading about h/r and realise it is a huge commitment and responsibility and one I am a bit hesitant to take on without an advisor. (And I have just acquired the most adorable h/r hen from Kim and Steve - timing, eh!) and I still have grumpy unnamed one which will now accept head scratches and food and the terrier budgie. Maybe it's time for me to go to the confessional too

I think I need an outdoor aviary - and a second mortgage! ;D

[hillcresttiels]

Well Done Anna that was perfect! :)Hey Kim if you want some Tiels to go with that new aviary let me know ;D lol Oh and you better make a visit to the confesssional too! ;D If you need any help on the Platino effect you can ask anytime cheers Frank

[lovemytiels]

Hi Kath, If you choose to take the challenge of h/rearing a 4 week old tiel, you certainly will have a challenge on your hands. At that age they are much harder to introduce to accept the spoon or syringe. I find that my babys at 5 weeks old are starting to cut down the amount of food they have getting ready for flight. You could have a bit of a battle on your hands, but if you perservere, it could be all right. Do you have anyone to show you how it is done as their are many factors you have to take in to consideration & it is a big responsibilty. In saying this though once you learn how to h/rear, the joy it brings is undecribable as you watch the baby grow day by day & bond to you. Good luck with your decision Kath & we are here to support you. Cheers Anna