• Home
  • All News
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Submit an article
We Are South Devon
Advertisement
  • Home
  • All News
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Submit an article
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Submit an article
No Result
View All Result
We Are South Devon
No Result
View All Result

Quick sex test for Living Coasts birds

We Are South Devon by We Are South Devon
July 2, 2014
in Community Projects
Quick sex test for Living Coasts birds

[fblike style=”button_count” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

Zoo keepers at Living Coasts in Torquay are using a hi-tech DNA test to discover the sex of newborn chicks more quickly.

The test, using cells from inside the shell of a newly hatched egg, has been developed by a company called Avian Biotech of Truro, Cornwall.

2014 06 LC egg DNA 2
Senior Living Coasts keeper Amy Fitzgerald explained: “You can use feathers to do the test, but you have to wait until the birds have their full plumage – for penguins this is normally about 12 weeks. All we have to do now is send off pieces of dry eggshell. DNA is extracted from the vascular material lining the eggshell membrane. It only takes about a week.

Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, is home to hundreds of birds.

“Most people still use feathers. It’s important to know the sex of birds for studbook purposes – females are always good for breeding potential, but on the other hand we do need males too – especially if they are from good strong parents.” For more information go towww.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring 0844 474 3366.

Keep up to date with whats happening in the area by joining us on facebook:
[do_widget “Facebook like box (jetpack)”]

Tags: living coasts
Previous Post

South Devon expansion for Novahome

Next Post

Arthrogryposis Awareness Day

Related Posts

Community Projects

Top attraction needs your help

February 10, 2020
Community News

Young volunteers boosted by new funding

September 16, 2019
Salcombe ‘Live’ Music and Comedy Festival announced
Community Projects

Salcombe ‘Live’ Music and Comedy Festival announced

September 13, 2019
Community Projects

Racing Across Torbay!

August 30, 2019
Community Projects

Can you Help the over 50s Stay in Own Homes?

August 15, 2019
Community News

Grants for Community Groups Available!

July 11, 2019
Next Post

Arthrogryposis Awareness Day

  • Home
  • All News
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Submit an article

© 2023 We Are South Devon Brought to you by Griffiths Networking

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Submit an article

© 2023 We Are South Devon Brought to you by Griffiths Networking