canonical: https://aviantestpro.com/knowledge/faq/FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions — Avian DNA Testing¶
Ordering & Services¶
Can you determine the sex of any bird species using DNA testing?¶
SENO's CHD-W/CHD-Z PCR method works for most bird species where females are heterogametic (ZW) and males are homogametic (ZZ). We have validated the method on over 250 species including parrots (Psittacidae), pigeons (Columbidae), canaries, finches (Fringillidae), chickens, ducks, swans, ostriches, and many exotic species. Some bird groups require alternate primer sets due to CHD intron size variation. See Species Compatibility for validated species.
What are the specific accuracy rates for SENO's DNA testing services?¶
| Service | Accuracy Rate | Method of Validation |
|---|---|---|
| DNA Sexing (CHD PCR) | ≥ 99% | Comparison with known-sex birds |
| PBFD qPCR — Sensitivity | 95.9% | 100 clinical samples × sequencing confirmation |
| PBFD qPCR — Specificity | 98.0% | 100 clinical samples × sequencing confirmation |
| DNA Fingerprinting (12 loci) | > 99.99% (DP) | Population allele frequency × probability calculation |
| Performance Gene Panel | Validated markers | 2,500 pigeon population study |
Do you offer a money-back guarantee?¶
Yes. If a laboratory error is confirmed through investigation, SENO provides a full refund plus free retesting. If sample quality prevents analysis, free retesting with a fresh sample. Unexpected but accurate results confirmed by QC are not refundable. Disputes accepted within 30 days of report date.
Can I place orders online or get a price list?¶
Contact us by email for current pricing and ordering. Sample submission forms and shipping instructions are provided upon inquiry. Annual contracts and bulk pricing are available for regular clients.
What is the minimum order and how does pricing work?¶
No minimum order for individual owners. Volume pricing tiers apply:
| Volume | Discount | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 samples | Standard | 1–2 working days |
| 11–50 samples | −10% | 2–3 working days |
| 51–200 samples | −20% | 3–5 working days |
| 200+ samples | −25% | Negotiated |
What payment methods and terms do you accept?¶
Bank transfer (T/T, USD/EUR) and PayPal for small orders. Terms: 100% prepayment for first orders; 50% deposit + 50% after report for returning clients; Net 30 for contract clients.
Sample Collection¶
What sample types are suitable for DNA testing?¶
| Sample Type | Best For | Collection Method | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feathers (plucked) | DNA sexing, fingerprinting | Pluck 3–5 chest feathers | Follicle must be visible at base |
| Oral + cloacal swabs | Disease testing (qPCR) | Flocked swab, place in stabilization solution | Seal tube tightly |
| Blood (EDTA) | All tests | Venipuncture, 0.1–0.5 mL | Refrigerate, ship within 48 h |
| Blood (FTA card) | All tests | Spot blood on card, air dry | Dry completely before sealing |
How do I collect and send feather samples for DNA sexing?¶
Pluck 3–5 freshly-growing feathers from the bird's chest or flank. Ensure the follicle bulb at the base is visible — this contains nucleated cells with DNA. Critical: do not use shed feathers — they lack viable follicular cells. Store feathers in a clean paper envelope (never plastic, which traps moisture and causes mold). Label each envelope with the bird's ID. Ship at room temperature within 4 weeks.
How should I store samples before shipping?¶
- Feathers: Paper envelope, room temperature, dry location. No refrigeration.
- Swabs (in stabilizer): 2–8°C. Ship with cold pack if possible.
- Blood (EDTA): 2–8°C. Ship within 48 hours.
- Blood (FTA card): Air-dry completely, room temperature.
- All types: Ship within 4 weeks of collection for optimal DNA quality.
Can I send samples from multiple birds together?¶
Yes, with proper separation. Each bird's feathers go in a separate paper envelope. Group envelopes in a single padded mailer. Place the submission form outside the bird envelopes (to prevent cross-contamination). Label each envelope clearly with the bird's unique ID.
Can I pool samples from multiple birds to save cost?¶
Pooling is not recommended for sexing — mixed DNA produces ambiguous gender results. For disease surveillance, pooled testing (3–5 birds per pool) is available as a cost-saving option for flock-level screening.
Disease Testing¶
What diseases does SENO test for?¶
| Pathogen | Affected Species | Assay Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFDV (PBFD) | Psittacines, some columbiformes | qPCR, TaqMan | LOD: 10 copies/reaction |
| Avian Polyomavirus (APV) | Psittacines (esp. young birds) | PCR | — |
| Avian Influenza H5/H7/H9 | All birds | RT-PCR, subtyping | Seasonal surveillance |
| PiHV (Pigeon Herpesvirus) | Pigeons | Multiplex qPCR | Part of 11-pathogen panel |
| PiCV (Pigeon Circovirus) | Pigeons | Multiplex qPCR | Part of 11-pathogen panel |
| PiADV (Pigeon Adenovirus) | Pigeons | Multiplex qPCR | Part of 11-pathogen panel |
| PPMV-1 (Newcastle) | Pigeons, poultry | Multiplex qPCR | Part of 11-pathogen panel |
How does the 11-pathogen Pigeon Disease Panel work?¶
One combined oral+cloacal swab sample is tested against 11 targets by multiplex qPCR. Each target has its own fluorescent probe channel plus an internal amplification control (VIC-labeled) to prevent false negatives from sample inhibition. Results are reported per target with Ct values.
How do you interpret PBFD qPCR results?¶
| Ct Range | Interpretation | Action |
|---|---|---|
| < 30 | Strong positive — active infection | Isolate, treat, re-test monthly |
| 30–35 | Moderate positive | Isolate, monitor closely |
| 35–38 | Weak positive — low viral load | Report "detected at low level"; retest in 2 weeks |
| 38–40 | Borderline | Suggest retest in 2 weeks |
| No Ct / > 40 | Negative | No action |
Can PBFD-positive birds ever test negative later?¶
Yes. Some birds, particularly those with strong immune systems, can clear BFDV infection. Our case study data shows that 5/8 birds with initial low-positive results (Ct 32–38) tested negative after 8 weeks without intervention. Birds with Ct < 32 are less likely to clear the virus spontaneously.
Racing Pigeon Genetics¶
Can you detect performance-related genes in racing pigeons?¶
Yes. SENO tests four performance markers:
| Gene | Function | Association |
|---|---|---|
| DRD4 | Dopamine receptor | Homing motivation, race performance |
| LDHA | Lactate dehydrogenase | Anaerobic sprint capacity |
| CK | Creatine kinase | Energy metabolism |
| MB | Myoglobin | Oxygen transport in muscle |
Birds are categorized as Gold (top 12%), Silver (31%), Bronze (45%), or Base (12%). Based on 2,500 pigeons, Gold birds achieve top-10 finishes in 18% of races vs 3% for Base.
Is performance gene testing a guarantee of race wins?¶
No. Genetic markers indicate potential, not destiny. Training, health, nutrition, weather conditions, and competition level all influence race outcomes. Performance testing is best used for breeding decisions — pairing birds with complementary genotypes to produce offspring with high genetic potential.
How is DNA fingerprinting different from sexing?¶
| Aspect | DNA Sexing | DNA Fingerprinting |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Single gene (CHD) | 12+ microsatellite markers |
| Purpose | Gender determination | Individual identification |
| Match probability | Not applicable | < 1 in 2.5 × 10¹⁵ |
| Use cases | Sex identification | Theft recovery, parentage, breeding records |
| Turnaround | 1–2 days | 3–5 days |
Can you verify parentage in racing pigeons?¶
Yes. Using the same 12-marker panel, parentage is confirmed by comparing offspring alleles with putative parent profiles. For full trio verification (sire + dam + offspring), confidence exceeds 99.99%. Single-parent verification has lower but still highly reliable confidence. See Parentage Verification.
Turnaround & Shipping¶
How long does it take to get test results?¶
| Test | Lab Time | Including International Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| DNA Sexing | 1–2 working days | 7–10 business days |
| Disease qPCR | 1–2 working days | 7–10 business days |
| DNA Fingerprinting | 3–5 working days | 10–14 business days |
| Performance Genes | 3–5 working days | 10–14 business days |
| Expedited (any test) | Within 8 hours | N/A |
Do you accept international samples?¶
Yes. SENO processes samples from 20+ countries. We provide full customs documentation. Recommended couriers: DHL, FedEx, UPS. Typical shipping times:
| Region | Courier | Transit | Customs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | DHL | 2–3 days | 0–1 day |
| Europe | DHL/FedEx | 3–5 days | 1–2 days |
| Middle East | DHL | 3–5 days | 1–2 days |
| Americas | DHL/FedEx | 4–6 days | 1–3 days |
What customs declaration should I use?¶
Declare as: "Laboratory testing samples — no commercial value — for diagnostic purposes only" with a nominal value of $10–20 USD. SENO provides customs letters and commercial invoices upon request.
Quality & Technology¶
How does SENO ensure quality?¶
- Spatial separation: Class 1,000 pre-PCR room + Class 10,000 post-PCR room, unidirectional workflow
- Controls in every batch: Positive controls, negative controls, no-template controls, extraction blanks, internal amplification controls
- Filter tips only — no aerosol contamination
- UV decontamination before each work session
- External proficiency testing annually through accredited providers
- All results reviewed by QC officer before release
What is the difference between PCR and qPCR?¶
| Feature | Conventional PCR | qPCR (Real-Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Detection | Post-PCR gel electrophoresis | Real-time fluorescence |
| Quantification | No | Yes (Ct values → copy number) |
| Sensitivity | Moderate | Higher (10 copies/rxn LOD) |
| Turnaround | 3–4 hours | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best for | Sexing, genotyping | Disease detection, quantification |
What certifications does SENO hold?¶
- ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management Systems
- ISO 13485:2016 — Medical Devices Quality Management (for reagent manufacturing)
- National High-Tech Enterprise — China certification
- CMA — Testing laboratory qualification (China)
How does SENO prevent cross-contamination between samples?¶
Each feather sample is handled with dedicated sterile forceps and scalpel blades. Pipetting uses filter tips exclusively. Pre- and post-PCR work is performed in physically separated rooms with dedicated equipment. NTC (no-template control) and extraction blanks are included in every batch. If NTC shows amplification, the entire batch is invalidated.
Business & Partnership¶
Can I become a distributor?¶
SENO actively seeks distributors in Southeast Asia, Middle East, South America, and Southern Europe. Benefits include: - Exclusive territory pricing - Marketing materials and sample collection kits - Technical support and training - Priority processing
Do you provide sample collection kits?¶
Yes. Kits include: 5 sterile paper envelopes, 2 sterile flocked swabs, 2 tubes of stabilizer solution, 1 submission form, 1 return envelope. Free of charge for orders above 50 tests.
What if a result seems wrong?¶
Notify us within 30 days. We retest at no charge with a fresh sample and alternate primers. If our error is confirmed: full refund + free retest of the entire batch.
Still Have Questions?¶
Contact SENO Testing Center directly for specific inquiries not covered here.
Last updated: July 2026