Aussie Finch Forum

Interesting comments on the DNA feather testing being innaccurate. I have probably had between 200 and 300 birds (finches, wrens and dotterals) and can't say I have had 1 bird that turned out to be any different than that sexed by the DNA. Probably sold a lot of these birds and and have had no complaints there either.

I take two outer wing feathers and another three from the tail - the quill part I think is where they extract the DNA sample from believe.

Good to know Garmc , thought of drawing blood was making me think twice , would if I had to but would rather not.

Gary you have been alot luckier than I
The last time I had feathers done,out of 40 tests i got 6 inconclusive and 2 definite mistakes.
I also have a cock Napoleon that was sold to me as a hen and it is definitely a cockbird,sadly the person that owned it and had it DNA' tested
and showed as a hen. He doesn't believe me and we have fallen out sadly.
Since blood testing 100% accurate

Out of interest - which laboratory have/had you been using for the feathers. I have heard issues with a certain offshore laboratory.

South African Company via their office in Canberra area.
About to use a local company

I use dna solutions the aussie company , it s local to your way david. they seemed pretty dam accurate. using four larger wing feathers, the hardest thing was putting on the rubber glove so not to contaminate the feathers... I had wrens and diamond firetails tested. they had a 7 day turn around they sent results via email then sent you hard copy and a certificte/card for every bird tested and the result to if you sell them on. I prefer to keep my hard earned cash here......I even used curtin uni over here for testing but they took 3 weeks before getting a reply.......pete

DNA solutions in Victoria seemed to be the best price wise and quick and also dont charge for the sample kit , dont know about their accuracy but they did seem to be offering the best service .
Some of the O/Seas ones charged for the kit and then charged for the DNA test .
Mmm can see it being a tad troublesome trying to pull a feather with gloves on.

Poitta
I have had discussions with DNA solutions and have details here.
What annoyed me I had just outlayed $30 for test kits,but they will accept them.
I am now just getting into the right frame of mind to catch up and get the blood samples.
I hate doing it, for such a simple task it takes ages when you are doing alot.
Thanks for the info

Agree 100% with Pete! I use DNA solutions also - the test kits they send are for the blood samples - as mentioned I take the feathers but rather than gloves I use tweezers. Will try and post a couple of pic's


Also most if not all errors I have heard of have emanated from the same source!

I use DNA solutions,And have done for years.Have had only good dealings with them,And only do feather samples.I only pluck one feather even though them say two.The one feather i pluck is the second flight feather.The second one from the tip.