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How Does Testing Work?

The DNA Testing Process is simple and easy to track your tests.

The Steps

Order
Tests

Collect
Blood

Enter
Data

Mail
Tests

Monitor
Sample

Ordering Tests

  • Go to the Shop and Select the tests you want to order.  Keep in mind there is a bulk discount for ordering 25+ tests.  You dont have to use them all at once.  They will be on your DNA Dashboard, ready for you to submit the sample(s) when you are ready.

  • You will need to sign up to become a member to complete your order, or sign in if you already are.

  • Once you have completed your order you will be able to see your DNA tests available to you on your DNA Dashboard

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Collecting the Blood Sample

Items you will need:​

  • Clippers

  • Alcohol

  • Coffee Filter

  • Ziplock bag

  • Pen/Marker

  • Stypic Powder

  • Gloves

Prepping:

  • Ensure you have a clean place to collect blood

    • Cross contamination can affect the results ​

  • Cut the coffee filter into a triangle

  • Sterilize the clippers with alcohol.

    • Sterilize clippers between birds and allow alcohol to dry before clipping toe nail​

  • Be sure each bird you will be testing has a unique ID to identify the bird.

    • This ID should be a unique ID among your birds.​

  • Write your Bird ID on your ziplock bag. 

  • Put on gloves

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Collecting Blood Sample:

  • Hold your bird firmly to ensure both of your safety

  • Clean the toenail, allowing the alcohol to dry before clipping

  • Trim the tip of the nail, clipping barely into the quick

  • Use the pointed end of the coffee filter to soak up the drop of blood

  • Allow the blood to completely dry before sealing the coffee filter with the blood in the zip lock bag

  • Apply stypic powder to the birds toenail to ensure the blood has clotted

Not enough blood: Tiny blood spots may not contain enough DNA for reliable testing, which can result in inconclusive results and require a new sample.

 

Too much blood: Oversaturating the sample or sending liquid blood can also cause problems. Blood shipped in tubes can spoil during transit, and excessive blood may interfere with testing.

 

The goal is one well-saturated blood spot on a clean coffee filter. Allow it to air-dry completely before packaging.

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Between birds:

  • Sanitize the clippers and your gloves

  • Ensure alcohol is dry before moving on to the next bird

Submitting DNA Samples

  • Once you have ordered tests your dashboard will show the number of tests ordered based on the type of tests you have ordered.

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  • Click on the Submit Sample button

  • You will be directed to a page to fill out the details for the test

  • After completing the form, click Submit

  • You will be redirected back to your dashboard where you will see the Credits have been reduced by 1 

  • Click the menu item matching your test type or scroll down to the Sample section matching your test type to see your test has been submitted

  • You will receive an email confirming your sample.  This email will contain the mailing address for the samples.

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Monitoring Your Samples

  • Immediately upon submitting your sample details, your DNA Dashboard will list your sample

  • Each sample will have its own status.

    • SENT IN - Sample has been sent from the bird owner to Silkie Acres DNA Lab

    • RECEIVED - Silkie Acres DNA Lab has received the sample

    • PROCESSING - Silkie Acres DNA Lab is processing the test

    • PENDING - Silkie Acres DNA Lab will reach out with questions or concerns

    • COMPLETED - The testing is completed and your Test Result is available

  • When the test is completed you will see the test result as well

© 2023 Silkie Acres DNA Lab. All rights reserved.

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