Necropsy Options

Veterinarians and owners of commercial and backyard poultry are encouraged to submit unexpectedly dead poultry for necropsy (postmortem) examination to UC Davis Vet Med's Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory.

This program assists with the State's surveillance program to monitor and detect immediate threats of disease. The Information obtained from the diagnostic work is invaluable for monitoring the spread of disease.

• Backyard flocks up to 1,000 birds:
• Fee is $20 for up to two poultry
• Test code: 10843
• Backyard Poultry Submission Form and Instructions
• Commercial operations (flocks of >1,000):
  • Fee is $120 per group of eight
  • Test code: 7202
  • Commercial Poultry Submission Form
  • Refer to Packaging Guidelines  
    

• REFRIGERATE deceased poultry, do NOT freeze them.
• Pack in a plastic bag surrounded by shipping ice, normally available at places that receive refrigerated items such as veterinarian offices and drug stores.
• Carcasses must be delivered by overnight mail, shipping and handling costs are at the owner's expense.
• Submission form must be included in the shipment.