How do I collect a sample from my bird?

We do not ship a sampling kit for our avian testing but you receive an email containing further instructions. 

If you would like to send feathers

Wash your hands before collecting the sample to avoid contamination. When you collect samples from multiple birds, wash your hands in between taking samples from different birds.

Do not touch the feathers after they have been collected. Pluck 4-5 feathers with an average size and in the initial growth phase (i.e. when the feather begins to emerge from the calamus). Please avoid direct contact betwen your hands and the calamus region. 

After collecting the feathers should be placed within a small food bag to keep them protected during transit. 

On the submission form (which is emailed to you immediately after you place your order) please fill in the details of each bird. Write identifying information for each sample on the outside of the bag. Please send the samples as soon as possible to ForesightVet using the address on the submission form, to arrive with us within 5 days of you taking the sample. We recommend using the Royal Mail "silver sticker" (next-day before 1pm) service as this will get the sample to us the fastest. 

If you would like to send a blood sample

Wash your hands before collecting the sample to avoid contamination. When you collect samples from multiple birds, wash your hands in between taking samples from different birds.

Do not touch the blood after it has been collected. Print the blood card form you have been sent on email. Cut the tip of the nail of the bird and extract a few drops of blood. The blood should be dropped into the circle on the blood card form and left to dry for 15 minutes. Once the blood is dry place the card into a food bag to protect it from contamination during transit. Each separate bird should have a separate blood card in a separate food bag. 

On the submission form (which is emailed to you immediately after you place your order) please fill in the details of each bird. Write identifying information for each sample on the outside of the bag. Please send the samples as soon as possible to ForesightVet using the address on the submission form, to arrive with us within 5 days of you taking the sample. We recommend using the Royal Mail "silver sticker" (next-day before 1pm) service as this will get the sample to us the fastest.