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Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:08 pm
by XBRIT
Does anyone have experience having their poultry DNA sexed via eggshell. Can anyone recommend a reliable company in Canada?

Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 3:22 pm
by WLLady
http://www.healthgene.com/
i do not have any experience with them, but they're in ontario near toronto.

for the curious out there, they sex the chicks by using the membrane that is stuck to the inside of the shell after the chick hatches.
it's a relatively simple PCR reaction...i imagine it's done using primers specific for one or two sex linked genes, probably on the w chromosome....girls would be positive for genes on both Z and W, and boys would be positive only for Z genes because they don't carry W.....

Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 5:00 pm
by Killerbunny
SO I could set a system up in the basement. Shouldn't be too hard I used to do it for E.coli and Salmonella! Just a bit pricey I guess.

Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 10:09 pm
by WLLady
Worst part of the cost is the polymerase. Primers and dNTPs are dirt cheap. The enzyme comes with patent costs so ultra price gouging. I could do this kind of thing in my sleep-i do the technique at work all the time.

Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 10:38 pm
by XBRIT
WLLady wrote:QR_BBPOST Worst part of the cost is the polymerase. Primers and dNTPs are dirt cheap. The enzyme comes with patent costs so ultra price gouging. I could do this kind of thing in my sleep-i do the technique at work all the time.
O.K. I have 3 eggshells bagged and more to come (I hope) So when can we get going, actually I think you will get lots of business from the folks on PTO. Well you did say the magic words "dirt cheap".:)

Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:31 am
by thegawd
So at $15 / test whats cheaper... feeding all the birds for 3+ months until we can sex them or having them tested so the boys can be segregated into a different pen and cared for separately or sold? Hmmmm how much does it cost to feed a chick for 3 months? LOL.

I think this dna test could be quite handy and worth it for anyone who cant keep or dont want any cockerals.

Im quite suprised that its only $15 / test!

Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:43 am
by Ontario Chick
Price has certainly gone down, I know people who had peacocks and parrots tested, used to be $25 and up

Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:50 am
by WLLady
When i retire maybe i will start up a company...but i think the merit with growing out is to make sure you get the type you like...not just boy or girl...this genetics will tell you boy or girl...but not the number of points on the comb or split wing or brown or whatever....
I still am waiting to see the details of the before hatch sexing....

Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:51 am
by poultry_admin
I think you guys are barking up the wrong tree. When the chick is out, you can check the chick which sex it is.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_sexing
You need this test to check the eggs before they take up serious time/space in the incubator.

Eggshell DNA sexing

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:54 am
by WLLady
So-we need permits for biological material from cfia and public health and biohazard level 2 permits and a commercial workspace...and at least 5 pcr machines. I would farm out sequencing to another company for fee, chemical purchase permits, hazmat wsste disposal permits....employees (2 plus an admin plus a safety officer), payroll and thats it. Oh and money....