Why Chest Feathers Are Best for Bird DNA Testing | Affordable Avian (and Why Feathers Must Be Plucked — Not Molted or Cut) Introduction At Affordable Avian , one of the most common questions we hear from customers is: “Can I use any feather for DNA testing?” The short answer is no  — not all feathers are suitable for DNA analysis. The location , condition , and collection method  of the feather make all the difference between a successful test and an inconclusive result. Thro