HOW TO & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You may use your own supplies or purchase a Flock Forensics Sample Collection Kit.

• Nail clippers
• Alcohol wipes
• Disposable gloves
• PCR tube, coffee filter strip, clean paper, or cotton swab (Q-tip)
• Small resealable plastic bags
• Bird leg bands or another method to identify each bird
• Permanent marker or pen
• QuikClot or styptic powder (optional, but recommended)

• Work in a clean, well-lit area.
• Wash your hands or wear disposable gloves.
• Clean all tools before each bird to prevent cross-contamination.
• Use alcohol to disinfect clippers or the bird's toe, allow everything to dry completely before collecting the sample. Wet alcohol can interfere with lab testing.
• Label samples for accuracy.
• Never allow samples from different birds to touch each other.
• Each bird must have its own collection material and its own labeled bag.

Blood provides the highest quality DNA and is recommended whenever possible.

Feathers must contain the quill / tissue at the base of the shaft to provide usable DNA.

• Collect 4-6 freshly plucked chest or body feathers. Pull feathers in the direction of growth to avoid breakage.
• Do not use naturally shed feathers or chick "fluff".
• The soft tissue attached to the bottom of the feather (the quill) is what contains the DNA.
• Allow any blood on the feather to dry before packaging.
• Place feathers from each bird into their own labeled plastic bag.

Membrane samples work best when collected from newly hatched chicks from small hatches.

• Each bird must be packaged separately.
• Use a separate labeled bag for every sample.
• Clearly label each bag with the bird's identifier.
• Do not use the same identifier for multiple birds in the same order.
• Ensure all non-blood samples are completely dry before sealing.

Please register your samplesthrough your Flock Forensics Member Portal before mailing them. If you are able to print your registration, please include it with your order. If you are not able to print, that's ok! Just include your order number so we can quickly locate your registration in our system.

Place all labeled samples into a padded envelope or small box.

Include your:

• Registration paperwork OR order number
• Clearly labeled samples

Tracking is recommended!!! If you choose not to include tracking, that is OK, but please do not message me daily asking if they have arrived. When your samples arrive at our lab, we will mark them as received and your customer portal will reflect the current status.

After samples are mailed you may add the tracking info to your order using the members portal.

If you have any questions before collecting your samples, please contact us. We are happy to support!! We'd much rather answer a question beforehand than have you recollect a sample later.