How to collect your samples
Feathers (preferred)
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.
Blood
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.