- Simple: Straightforward protocols to follow for DNA extraction, PCR and gel visualization of results.
- Scalable for low or high throughput: Suitable for a few samples or up to 30 samples per run. Kit includes enough materials for 48 samples.
- Rapid: Extraction of DNA in 30 minutes; PCR amplication and visualisation of DNA within 4 hours.
- Affordable: Per reaction cost starting at £4 per sample; cost reduces with more samples.
Bird Sexing Materials Starter Kit
All the materials you need to get started with bird sexing
£235.00 ex VAT
Bird Sexing Materials Starter Kit
All the materials you need to get started with bird sexing
£235.00 ex VAT
Start processing samples with our bird DNA sexing workflow.
This bundle contains all the reagents, plastic consumables and accessories you need for our protocols.
In addition to accessories and reusable materials, this kit contains enough reagents to process a minimum of 48 bird samples.
Note: the bundle does not include equipment. You will need Bento Lab or an equivalent.
Applications
This bundle contains all of the reagents, consumables and accessory materials for the Bird Sexing Workflow when used with equipment, such as Bento Lab.
Following this workflow, you can extract bird DNA from feathers and sex the bird using the molecular techniques of PCR and gel electrophoresis.
What’s included?
This bundle includes all the materials you need to use our guides to go from a bird sample (blood or feather) to a result using the Bird Sexing Workflow.
Chemical reagents
- HotSHOT DNA Extraction Kit (400 reactions)
- 5X HOT FIREPol® Blend Master Mix Ready to Load (400 μl; 100 reactions)
- PCR grade water (2 ml; 200 reactions)
- Bird Sexing Primer Mix – Primer Set 1 (CHD1F/CHD1R) (200 reactions)
- Bird Sexing Primer Mix – Primer Set 2 (2550F/2718R) (200 reactions)
- Bird Sexing Primer Mix – Primer Set 3 (P0/P2/P8) (200 reactions)
- Agarose tablets (20 tablets; 10× 2%-3% agarose gels)
- GelGreen® DNA Stain (100 μl)
- 10X TBE buffer (50 ml)
- 100 bp DNA Ladder (200 μl)
Plastic consumables
- 0.2 ml PCR tubes (200 tubes)
- 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes (100 tubes)
- 2-200 μl pipette tips (3 boxes)
- Nitrile gloves (20)
- Scalpels (10)
Accessory Equipment
- 2-20 μl adjustable pipette
- 20-200 μl adjustable pipette
- 200 mL sharps bin
- 250 mL beaker
What’s not included?
- PCR equipment: To use these materials, you will need access to equipment, either a Bento Lab Entry or similar equipment (i.e. a mini-centrifuge, a PCR thermocycler, a gel electrophoresis unit and a blue-light transilluminator).
- Microwave (or alternative): You will also need a heat source to melt agarose for gel electrophoresis (e.g. a microwave, rice cooker or hot plate)
- Water: You will need 1L of distilled or deionised water to dilute the concentrated 10X TBE buffer provided in the bundle. This is easy and cheaper to find locally or on Amazon/eBay.
How many reactions can I do?
You can analyse up to 48 samples with the materials included, and the accessory equipment can be used for future work.
Many of the reagents are included in excess, so you can restock key reagents to process more samples.
Topping up the Starter Kit for larger numbers of samples
If you want to sex more than 48 birds, then you can top up the bird sexing bundle to a larger number of birds by buying additional items, for example for 100 birds, 200 birds, and 400 birds as detailed in the table below.
| Item | 100 birds | 200 birds | 400 birds |
| HotSHOT DNA Extraction Kit | NA | NA | NA |
| 5x HOT FIREPol Master Mix | 1 × 400 µL tube | 1 × 1000 µL tube | 2 × 1000 µL tube |
| PCR grade water | 1 × 5 mL bottle | 1 × 5 mL bottle | 3 × 5 mL bottle |
| Bird sexing primers | NA | 1 × 400 µL tube | 2 × 400 µL tube |
| 10x TBE buffer | 1 × 50 mL tube | 2 × 50 mL tube | 4 × 50 mL tube |
| Agarose tablets | 1 × 10 tablets | 3 × 10 tablets | 8 × 10 tablets |
| GelGreen DNA stain | NA | 1 × 100 µL tube | 1 × 200 µL tube |
| 100 bp DNA ladder | NA | 1 × 200 µL tube | 2 × 200 µL tube |
| PCR tubes | 2 × 100 tubes | 1 × 500 tubes | 1 × 1000 tubes, and 1 x 100 tubes |
| 1.5 ml tubes | NA | NA | NA |
| 2-200 uL pipette tips | 2 × boxes of 96 tips | 7 × boxes of 96 tips | 17 × boxes of 96 tips |
Want to explore sample cost for larger volumes?
If you want to calculate the quantities and costs of reagents and consumables needed to sex larger numbers of birds, you can try our spreadsheet calculator here. If you have any questions or feedback about the spreadsheet, please get in touch.
Specifications
Recommended Usage
This bundle is for use with the DNA Extraction from Feathers and the Bird Sexing PCR protocols.
Storage & Stability
HotSHOT DNA Extraction Kit should be stored sealed and in the original bag at room temperature or 4 ºC. Storage for up to 6 months at room temperature should have minimal detrimental effects provided the containers and bags are properly sealed. Exposure of the Alkaline Lysis Solution to air will gradually decrease the pH and effectiveness of this reagent over time. For longer term storage freeze at –20 ºC.
5X HOT FIREPol® Blend Master Mix, Bird Sexing Primer Mixes and 100 bp DNA Ladder should be stored in the freezer at –20 ºC and defrosted at 4 ºC before use.
All other components of the bundle can be permanently stored at room temperature.
Shipping conditions
Shipped at room temperature.
Related products
Gel Combs
(replacements)
for Bento Lab
Price range: £4.20 through £7.80
Select options
Dipstick
DNA Extraction Kit
1 min from sample to PCR
£38.50 for 100 rxn
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