OMG - Martin is female

**Dan** · 07-22-2012, 06:32 AM

So... I got Martin DNA sexed back in the US when he was really young and it said male - and thus the name of course. I never doubted it until the last year or two when his sexual behaviour was more like that of a female than a male. So just to be sure, last week I sent off another few feathers to DNA sex him.

The result just came back by email. Martin is female!!!!

**maxollie** · 07-22-2012, 08:43 AM

That's o.k., Dan!! Perhaps she can be "Martina", or "Marti"!!

There sure are alot of us bird lovers that have had the same experience!!

Do you think she will decide to lay eggs anytime soon?

**vmorrison** · 07-23-2012, 04:44 AM

It's my understanding that if a sample sent in for DNA sexing is contaminated, the test will return male instead of female. Hens are always hens but not so with males. I've heard of this happening before, even when vet's offices sent in the samples. Martina sounds like a nice name change option........

**boomer girl** · 07-23-2012, 11:10 AM

I am surprised "she" hasnt laid any eggs yet since she is somewhat older now. How funny that Martin just became a girl and I would just keep the name because it could confuse her if you change it now.

**Dan** · 07-23-2012, 12:48 PM

Yeah, not even just that, but switching myself is hard! No eggs in seven years! Odd since 'she' has been so hormonal for a few months now.

**boomer girl** · 07-23-2012, 01:24 PM

Maybe she will be a good girl and not want to freak you out by laying eggs. Can you imagine if you didnt get her tested and all the sudden the Martin you thought was a boy popped out a egg? That would be a shocking!

**maxollie** · 07-23-2012, 02:45 PM

Is there a possibility that since she is a bigger parrot she has to have a male parrot close by? I know tiels don't have to have a male around, I found that out last fall when my little Ollie laid an egg one day and scared me really bad. I'm not sure about bigger parrots like Martin, and the Macaws, etc.

**Roscoe's Mom** · 07-29-2012, 07:59 AM

Wow, that's a shock. At what age would Martin have sexually matured? Every hen I've ever known has been ultra-hormonal from sexual maturity's start.

I think Martin is a handsome girl's name

Pretty astute of you to have noticed female behavior. Just goes to show us how useful skills like pelvic palpation can be as a confirmation of DNA sexing results!