Sample Collection Quick-Reference Card¶

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           FEATHER COLLECTION                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ☑ Use freshly plucked feathers ONLY        │
│  ☑ 3–5 feathers per bird                    │
│  ☑ Small birds: 5–7 feathers                │
│  ☑ Pluck from chest or flank                │
│  ☑ Check: follicle bulb visible at base     │
│  ☑ Store in paper envelope (NOT plastic)    │
│  ☑ Label each envelope with bird ID         │
│  ☑ Room temperature storage                 │
│  ☑ Ship within 4 weeks of collection        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           SWAB COLLECTION                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ORAL SWAB:                                  │
│  ☑ Insert into oropharynx + choanal slit    │
│  ☑ Rotate 5–10 seconds                      │
│  ☑ Place into stabilization solution        │
│                                              │
│  CLOACAL SWAB:                               │
│  ☑ Insert 0.5–1 cm into cloaca              │
│  ☑ Rotate 3–5 seconds                       │
│  ☑ Place into stabilization solution        │
│                                              │
│  ☑ Seal tube tightly                        │
│  ☑ Label with bird ID + date                │
│  ☑ Store at 2–8°C → ship with cold pack     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           BLOOD COLLECTION                   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  FTA CARD:                                   │
│  ☑ Apply 1–2 drops blood to card            │
│  ☑ Allow to air-dry 30 min (no direct sun)  │
│  ☑ Store in sealed bag with desiccant       │
│  ☑ Room temperature storage (years)         │
│                                              │
│  FILTER PAPER (DBS):                         │
│  ☑ Apply 3–4 drops blood to card            │
│  ☑ Air-dry completely (> 1 h)               │
│  ☑ Store individually in paper envelopes    │
│  ☑ Room temperature or refrigerated         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           SHIPPING CHECKLIST                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ☑ Contact SENO for current instructions    │
│  ☑ Feathers: paper envelopes → padded mailer│
│  ☑ Swabs: sealed tubes → absorbent bag      │
│  ☑ Include submission form                  │
│  ☑ Use DHL / FedEx / UPS                    │
│  ☑ Arrange weekday delivery (Mon–Thu)       │
│  ☑ Share tracking number with SENO          │
│  ☑ Declare: "Lab Testing Samples, No Value" │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           TURNAROUND ESTIMATE                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Shipping:           3–5 business days       │
│  Customs:            2–3 business days       │
│  Lab Testing:        1–2 business days       │
│  DNA Fingerprinting: 3–5 business days       │
│  Reporting:          Within 1 hour of QC     │
│  ─────────────────────────────────────────── │
│  Total (sexing):     7–10 business days      │
│  Total (fingerprint): 10–14 business days    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘