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Test Catalog & Pricing
Available DNA Tests
All tests use PCR-based molecular analysis on a blood or feather sample you collect at home. No kit needed. Results emailed within 24–48 hours of receipt.
Lab based in Canada · All prices in Canadian dollars (CAD) · International samples welcome
DNA Sex Testing
Determine the sex of your bird with certainty — works for parrots, waterfowl, game birds, pigeons, ornamental birds, ratites, and more.
$10
per bird
DNA sex testing is the gold standard for accurately determining the sex of birds that are difficult or impossible to sex visually. Our PCR genetic test provides a definitive result from a single blood sample, regardless of the bird's age, plumage, or behaviour. This test covers a wide range of species including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, parrots, cockatoos, finches, canaries, doves, pigeons, waterfowl, game birds, and ornamental species. Please include your bird's species when submitting your sample.
Turnaround
24–48 hours from receipt
Sample Type
Blood or freshly plucked feathers
Result Format
Male (ZZ) or Female (ZW)
Suitable For
- Chicks and juveniles where visual sexing is unreliable
- Monomorphic species where males and females look identical
- Parrots, cockatoos, and other cage birds
- Waterfowl, game birds, pigeons, and ornamental species
- Breeders who need to confirm sex before pairing
- Pet owners who want to know their bird's sex for naming or bonding
Chicken Blue Egg Gene (Oocyan)
Find out if your chicken carries the Oocyan gene responsible for blue and green egg shell colour.
$15
per bird
The blue egg colour in chickens is caused by the Oocyan (O) gene, which triggers the deposition of biliverdin into the eggshell during formation. This gene is autosomal dominant — a single copy produces blue or green eggs, while two copies produce a deeper blue. Our test identifies whether your bird carries zero, one, or two copies of the Oocyan allele, giving you precise information for your breeding program.
Turnaround
24–48 hours from receipt
Sample Type
Blood or freshly plucked feathers
Result Format
O/O (homozygous), O/o (heterozygous carrier), or o/o (non-carrier)
Suitable For
- Breeders working with Araucanas, Ameraucanas, Easter Eggers, Cream Legbars, or Silverudd's Blues
- Anyone developing a blue or green egg-laying flock
- Breeders wanting to predict egg colour in offspring
- Hatcheries selecting for consistent egg colour traits
Chicken Recessive White Gene
Identify carriers of the recessive white gene to make informed plumage and breeding decisions.
$15
per bird
Recessive white (c) is caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the TYRP1 gene, which inhibits melanin production. Because it is recessive, a bird can carry one copy of the allele and appear fully coloured — making visual identification impossible. Our test detects the presence of the recessive white allele at the molecular level, allowing breeders to make informed pairing decisions and avoid unexpected white offspring.
Turnaround
24–48 hours from receipt
Sample Type
Blood or freshly plucked feathers
Result Format
C/C (non-carrier), C/c (heterozygous carrier), or c/c (recessive white)
Suitable For
- Breeders working with coloured breeds where recessive white occasionally appears
- Anyone who has produced unexpected white chicks and wants to identify carriers in their flock
- Show breeders maintaining strict colour standards
- Breeders developing white varieties intentionally through selective pairing
Ratite DNA Sex Testing
Determine the sex of your emu, rhea, or ostrich using PCR-based DNA analysis.
$15
per bird
Sexing ratites visually is notoriously difficult — even experienced handlers can be uncertain, especially in young birds. Our PCR-based DNA sex test definitively identifies the sex of emu, rhea, and ostrich from a blood sample. Results are returned within 24–48 hours of the lab receiving your sample, giving you the certainty you need for breeding programs, sales, and flock management.
Turnaround
24–48 hours from receipt
Sample Type
Blood or feathers
Result Format
Male or Female
Suitable For
- Emu, rhea, and ostrich keepers who need to confirm the sex of their birds
- Breeders planning pairs and needing confirmed males and females
- Farms managing ratite flocks for production or conservation
- Anyone who has purchased a bird of unknown sex
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special kit to collect a sample?
No kit is required. You only need nail clippers, a small piece of coffee filter paper or paper towel cut into a triangle, and a small zipper-lock bag or a small sealed paper coin envelope. Everything is available at home or at any grocery store.
What type of sample do you accept?
We accept two sample types: a blood spot collected by clipping one nail just past the quick, or freshly plucked feathers. For feather samples, pluck 3–5 chest feathers directly from the bird, hold them by the tip (not the quill end), and place them in a small paper envelope or zipper bag. Moulted or shed feathers will not work, and chick down is not accepted — feathers must be freshly plucked and fully developed.
How long does it take to get results?
Results are emailed within 24–48 hours of us receiving your sample. We will also update your account as soon as your sample arrives so you know it is in the lab.
Can I submit samples for multiple birds in one envelope?
Yes. Place each dried sample in its own individually labelled zipper bag or small sealed paper coin envelope, then mail all bags together in one envelope.
Do I need to use tracked mail?
Tracked mail is welcome but not required. Regular letter mail is perfectly acceptable. The choice is yours — we are not responsible for packages lost in transit.
Can I order more than one test for the same bird?
Yes. Simply add each test as a separate line item when placing your order. You only need to collect one sample per bird — we can run multiple tests from a single blood spot or feather sample.
Ready to Get Started?
Create a free account, place your order, collect your sample, and mail it in. Results within 24–48 hours.