Sample FAQ¶
Can feathers be used for bird DNA testing?¶
Yes. Freshly plucked feathers with visible follicle tissue are the most common sample type for avian DNA testing and are suitable for most parrot, pigeon, and songbird species. Feather samples are the preferred choice for most clients because they are non-invasive, easy to collect, and stable during international shipping.
| Feather Type | Suitability | DNA Yield | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast feathers (freshly plucked) | Excellent | High | DNA sexing, genotyping |
| Wing feathers (freshly plucked) | Good | Moderate | DNA sexing (if follicle visible) |
| Tail feathers (freshly plucked) | Good | Moderate | DNA sexing, fingerprinting |
| Molted/shed feathers | Poor | Very low to none | Not recommended |
| Down feathers | Variable | Low | Only if follicle tissue visible |
| Feather tip (calamus) only | Good | Moderate | Minimum tissue for PCR |
Feather Collection Best Practices¶
- Pluck 2-4 breast or body feathers (not wing or tail unless necessary)
- Ensure the follicle (white bulb at base) is present and visible
- Handle feathers by the shaft — avoid touching the follicle with fingers
- Place in a clean paper envelope (not plastic — moisture causes DNA degradation)
- Label the envelope with bird ID, species, and collection date
- Store at room temperature in a dry place until shipping
- Ship within 2-4 weeks of collection
Note: Never use tape or adhesive labels directly on feathers. Never store feathers in plastic bags — condensation promotes fungal growth that destroys DNA.
Why must feathers be freshly plucked?¶
The feather follicle contains living cells with DNA. Naturally shed feathers contain degraded or insufficient DNA for reliable PCR testing.
| Feather Source | Cell Viability | DNA Integrity | PCR Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshly plucked (follicle visible) | High | High | > 95% |
| Freshly plucked (no follicle) | Low | Low | < 50% |
| Naturally shed (< 1 week old) | Very low | Low | < 30% |
| Naturally shed (> 1 week old) | None | Degraded | < 10% |
| Floor-collected (unknown age) | None | Highly degraded | < 5% |
Bottom line: For reliable results, always pluck feathers freshly. The presence of a visible white follicle at the base is the best indicator of sample quality.
What if I only have shed feathers?¶
Shed feathers are unlikely to yield sufficient DNA. Please collect freshly plucked feathers following our collection protocol. If shed feathers are the only option:
- Collect multiple feathers (at least 5-10) to increase the chance of obtaining usable DNA
- Select the freshest-looking feathers — those with visible follicle remnants at the base
- Note the limitation on the submission form so we can assess feasibility
- Accept the risk that results may be inconclusive (no additional charge for inconclusive results from marginal samples)
- Consider alternative sample types — a blood spot on FTA card provides much better DNA
Can blood be used for DNA testing?¶
Yes. Blood samples are accepted and provide excellent DNA quality. Two formats are supported:
Blood in EDTA Tubes¶
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Volume | 0.2-0.5 mL (minimum) |
| Anticoagulant | EDTA (purple-top tube) |
| Storage before shipping | 2-8°C |
| Maximum storage before shipping | 7 days |
| Shipping condition | Cold pack (not frozen) |
| Labeling | Bird ID, species, collection date |
Blood on FTA Cards¶
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Volume | 1-3 drops (sufficient to saturate card circle) |
| Preparation | Blood spot allowed to dry completely (1-2 hours at room temp) |
| Storage before shipping | Room temperature, in original packaging with desiccant |
| Shipping condition | Room temperature (no cold pack needed) |
| Labeling | Write bird ID on card margin with pencil/ballpoint pen |
| Advantages | Room temperature stable, no leaking, easy international shipping |
Important: If using EDTA tubes, ensure the tube is properly sealed and shipped with absorbent material to contain any leakage. FTA cards are strongly recommended for international shipments due to their stability and simplified customs clearance.
What samples are accepted for disease PCR testing?¶
Oral swabs and cloacal swabs preserved in nucleic acid stabilization solution are the standard sample types for avian disease testing.
| Sample Type | Collection Method | Stabilization Solution | Storage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral swab | Gently rotate in oral cavity | DNA/RNA Shield or equivalent | 2-8°C | PBFD, Polyomavirus, AIV |
| Cloacal swab | Gently insert and rotate | DNA/RNA Shield or equivalent | 2-8°C | PBFD, Polyomavirus, AIV |
| Combined swab | Oral + cloacal in one tube | DNA/RNA Shield or equivalent | 2-8°C | Comprehensive screening |
| Blood (EDTA) | Venipuncture | N/A (EDTA anticoagulant) | 2-8°C | PBFD (viremic phase) |
| Tissue (post-mortem) | Sterile dissection | DNA/RNA Shield or frozen | -20°C or colder | Confirmatory testing |
Swab Collection Procedure¶
- Remove swab from packaging without touching the tip
- For oral swab: gently rotate swab inside the bird's oral cavity (buccal surface) for 5-10 seconds
- For cloacal swab: gently insert swab 0.5-1 cm into the cloaca and rotate for 5 seconds
- Place swab tip into stabilization solution tube
- Break or cut the swab handle at the breakpoint line
- Tightly close the cap
- Label tube with bird ID and collection date
- Store at 2-8°C until shipping
Can eggshell membranes be used for sexing?¶
For some species, eggshell membranes contain embryonic DNA and can be used for pre-hatch sex determination. Contact SENO to confirm feasibility for your species.
| Factor | Impact on Success | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Embryo developmental stage | Critical | Best at > 50% incubation |
| Egg freshness | Important | Process within 24 hours of collection |
| Membrane separation technique | Moderate | Use sterile technique |
| Species | Variable | Some species easier than others |
| DNA quantity | Limiting factor | Can be very low |
Eggshell Membrane Collection Protocol¶
- Incubate egg to appropriate developmental stage
- Carefully break egg and separate membrane from shell
- Rinse membrane briefly in sterile water or saline
- Place membrane in sterile microcentrifuge tube
- Freeze immediately at -20°C or place in 95% ethanol
- Ship on cold pack or at room temperature (if in ethanol)
How should samples be stored before shipping?¶
Proper pre-shipping storage is essential for maintaining DNA quality:
| Sample Type | Storage Temperature | Maximum Storage Duration | Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feathers (dry) | Room temperature (15-25°C) | 4 weeks | Paper envelope |
| Swabs in stabilization solution | 2-8°C | 2 weeks | Original tube |
| Blood (EDTA) | 2-8°C | 7 days | EDTA tube |
| Blood (FTA card) | Room temperature (20-25°C) | Indefinite (dry) | Original FTA card packaging |
| Tissue (fresh) | 2-8°C | 48 hours | Sterile container |
| Tissue (for freezing) | -20°C or lower | 6 months | Sterile container |
| Eggshell membrane | -20°C or 95% ethanol at RT | 6 months | Microcentrifuge tube |
| DNA (already extracted) | -20°C or 2-8°C | 1 year | Microcentrifuge tube |
How many feathers do you need for testing?¶
| Test Type | Minimum Feathers | Recommended | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA sexing | 2 | 3-4 | 5 |
| Pigeon DNA fingerprinting | 3 | 4-5 | 5-6 |
| Disease testing | Use swabs instead | — | — |
| Parentage verification | 3 | 4-5 | 5-6 |
Note: Providing extra feathers is always better — it allows for re-extraction if needed without requesting additional samples.
What sample types are NOT accepted?¶
| Sample Type | Reason |
|---|---|
| Molted/shed feathers | Insufficient/degraded DNA |
| Feathers stored in plastic bags | Moisture promotes mold and DNA degradation |
| Samples with tape/adhesive on them | Chemicals inhibit PCR |
| Samples in glass containers | Safety risk during shipping |
| Samples with visible mold/fungus | Contamination risk |
| Live animals | Biosecurity and regulatory restrictions |
| Unlabeled samples | Cannot be traced to specific birds |
| Samples without species identification | Cannot validate test parameters |
Can I send samples from multiple birds in one package?¶
Yes. Combining samples from multiple birds in one shipment is standard practice and reduces per-sample shipping costs. However:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Individual packaging | Each sample must be in its own labeled container/envelope |
| Clear labeling | Each bird ID must be visible and match submission form |
| Cross-contamination prevention | Feathers must be in separate envelopes, not touching |
| Manifest | Provide a list of all samples in the package |
| Species uniformity | Same species per shipment preferred (for efficient processing) |
Related Documents¶
- Feather Collection Guide — Detailed feather collection protocol with images
- Swab Collection Guide — Oral and cloacal swab collection procedure
- Blood Sample Protocol — Blood collection and FTA card preparation
- Sample Storage and Stability — Comprehensive storage guidelines
- Shipping FAQ — International shipping procedures
- International Shipping Regulations — Regulatory compliance