INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Avian specialists are trained vets whose primary focus is birds. The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), and their website, provides information about finding a certified vet in your area. You can also do a basic internet search for "avian vet in my area." If you have other pets, talk to their vet. He or she might be able to refer you to a specialist or be able to conduct blood or DNA tests in house. Make sure your vet is certified with the AAV or American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). They should be able to provide documentation to prove this. A vet can use laboratory testing to determine the sex of your bird. It can be costly to take a bird in just for sex identification. However, you may need to know your bird's sex. If you're trying to breed, you will need a male and a female. If you're introducing a new Grey to your home and want to prevent breeding, you need to make sure the birds are of the same sex or look into neutering your grey. Vets often use endoscopies to determine sex. This is involves using a telescope to examine a bird's internal organs. Your vet may have other laboratory means to test the sex of your bird. Sex testing methods depend on your bird's overall health and medical history, so talk over options with your vet. You may want a less invasive procedure to determine sex. With surgical and laboratory tests, there is always some risk of harm to your bird. You can acquire do-it-yourself DNA kit or blood card that you can mail in to get a DNA test for your parrot. These kits are easily assembled and easy to use. You can gather DNA from plucked feathers, eggshells, or toenail clippings. DNA collections from these samples are equally accurate as a DNA test from a blood sample. You can talk to your vet to see if they can offer you this kit. However, be sure to get a certified DNA document from this testing. It is important to note that blood feathers nor molted feathers contain enough DNA data for accurate testing. You'll have to pluck feathers directly from your bird. You should get your test results pretty quickly. It takes about 2-3 business days. A testing kit will cost you around $15.00.

SUMMARY: Find a reputable avian specialist in your area. Have your avian veterinarian determine sex. Conduct a DNA test at home.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Set a timer for 4 minutes if you like your dippy eggs to be very runny. For eggs that are slightly more set, set the timer for a total of 5 minutes. Leave the eggs to simmer with the lid off of the pot. If you cook the eggs for more than 5 minutes, the yolks will be too hard to dip the toast into. Although there are a lot of kitchen gadgets designed to neatly slice the cap off of a soft-boiled egg, you can use a knife. Carefully run the edge of the knife around the top quarter of the egg so you can slice through it. Discard the cap.Use a sharp knife so the egg doesn't tear as much when you cut it.

SUMMARY: Simmer the eggs for 4 to 5 minutes. Slice off the top quarter of the egg to access the yolk.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You will want to write both addresses on the side of your package with the largest surface area. This will give you enough room to write the addresses with space between both to avoid any confusion. Do not write your address over a seam in your box. Although most postal services will accept addresses written in pencil, they have a higher risk of fading or rubbing off. Choose a pen with a strong color contrast against your package color. If your package is white or tan, for example, choose a pen with black ink. Putting the recipient's legal name instead of a nickname increases the likelihood of them receiving the package. If they have recently moved, their previous residency can then forward their mail easily. If sending your package to a company, write its full name in this area or email the company to ask who you should address the package to. Write the Post Office (P.O.) box or street address. Include any apartment or suite numbers, if relevant. If the address has a specific direction like east (E) or northwest (NW), write it here to ensure that your package gets where it needs to be. Do your best to keep the street address on one line. You can write your apartment or suite number on a separate line if your address may extend onto two lines. Spell your city name completely and correctly below the street address. If you're not sure how to spell the city, look it up. Add the zip code to the right of the city so your package goes to the right location even if the city is misspelled. Do not use commas or periods anywhere in your delivery address, even when separating the city and zip code. In the United States, include the state between the city and zip code. For international mail, add the province and country alongside the zip code. Research each country's zip code formatting to make sure you include the right one.

SUMMARY: Print or write the delivery address parallel to the longest side of the package. Use a pen or permanent marker to make the address as clear as possible. Write your recipient's full name in the center of the package. Add the street address directly below your recipient's name. Include your recipient's city and zip code below the street address.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Remove any tattered food bits and clean the waste from the tank using a small net or cloth. It's important to keep the turtle's eating and living area clean of waste to make the turtle happy. Change out the drinking water regularly and supply new water when you do this. If you use a water filter, you only need to change out the water every couple of weeks. Remove the turtle from the tank and place it into a temperature controlled area for a while you wash out the tank thoroughly with spring water. You don't usually need to use soap to wash down the turtle's tank. Just use a thorough scrub brush to scrape off any algae or other growth from the sides of the tank. Replace the water, the light, other supplies, and the thermometer, and return the turtle to the freshly cleaned habitat. When you do full tank cleanings, it's a good idea to wash down your turtle and inspect for any signs of injury or disease. There is shell conditioner that you can buy at the pet store, which can be applied with a toothbrush to the back of the shell. Gently brush off any algae and other growth using the toothbrush. Many turtles like the sensation of being brushed, so this should be a good experience for your pet. Turtles are cold-blooded, which means they take a long time to adjust to temperature changes. If you take your pet out of the tank to play, be sure the room is at relatively the same temperature as the tank. Sudden changes will cause stress and possibly harm the turtle's immune system. Turtles often carry Salmonella, so it's very important to wash your hands after handling them. Keeping the water in the tanks fresh and removing waste promptly should also help keep bacteria under control in the habitat. Installation of a water filtration system should also help. Keep your fingers away from the turtle's mouth any time you handle your pet. A bite can hurt even if accidental. Turtles are not like dogs and cats. They do not enjoy going for walks and being handled. Some keepers allow their turtles to walk around on their floors, or take them outside for walks, or carry them around. This is not something your turtle will enjoy, nor is it good for them. This causes unnecessary stress and could will eventually lead to health problems. How do you keep turtles happy? Leave them in their habitat and watch them swim, eat, bask and move about in their home which you have provided. They will be much happier and so will you. Most people find that tortoises enjoy going outdoors and roaming around under supervision, while turtles prefer remaining in their habitats and not being handled. Still, it's good to limit your direct handling of the tortoise as much, in general.

SUMMARY:
Change the water and remove old food bits every 2-3 days. Clean the turtle's tank every two to three weeks. Groom the turtle a few times a year. Only take the turtle out of the habitat in similar temperatures. Always wash your hands before and after handling your turtle. Leave the turtle alone most of the time.