miniPCR® Lavender Chicken DNA Test

Use PCR to genotype your own chickens for the lavender allele that causes pale greyish plumage.

• Techniques: DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis

  Topics: Agricultural biotechnology, genetics, inheritance

  Grade level: Advanced high school, college

  Time required: Can be completed in two 45-minute periods

Lavender chickens have attractive pale greyish plumage that is said to shimmer, and this inherited trait follows a recessive pattern.  Breeders and hatcheries rely on DNA testing for rapid, accurate selection of this desirable trait. In this lab, students use PCR to detect the lavender allele in real samples - an authentic application of biotechnology used in the poultry industry. By genotyping birds, students can distinguish between homozygous and heterozygous individuals, reinforcing key concepts of inheritance while solving real-world challenges in avian science.

 : This lab kit provides PCR reagents and tubes to test 32 bird samples +6 controls.