Guides
Poultry diagnostic labs and necropsy: state-by-state list
If a bird dies unexpectedly, a necropsy (animal autopsy) at a diagnostic lab can tell you whether the rest of your flock is at risk. Many state labs offer backyard-flock necropsy.
Not veterinary advice. This page is general information compiled from public university extension, USDA and FDA sources linked below. It is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. When a bird is sick or injured, contact a licensed veterinarian. If you see possible bird flu signs, report them (see
Is it an emergency?).
How submission usually works (check your lab's rules)
- Refrigerate, don't freeze. Penn State's lab says "Please keep the bird refrigerated and do not freeze." California's CAHFS says birds "may be kept refrigerated for no more than three days prior to shipment" and that freezing "interferes with the necropsy examination."
- Double-bag the bird, then pack it in an insulated box with frozen gel packs (not loose ice) and absorbent material. Put the submission form in a separate sealed bag.
- Ship overnight (UPS or FedEx) so it arrives on a weekday. Both Penn State and CAHFS say not to use the U.S. Postal Service. Don't ship on a Friday or before a holiday.
- Cost example: CAHFS (California) lists $35 for 1-2 backyard birds from California flocks (updated 5/2025). Penn State lists backyard poultry necropsy "starts at $58." Call your own lab for current fees.
- CAHFS recommends "having a veterinarian involved in your case," because the lab doesn't give treatment advice.
Sources: Penn State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Back Yard Poultry Necropsy Information Page; CAHFS Backyard Poultry Submission Guidelines (PDF).
USDA NAHLN laboratories by state
This list comes from USDA APHIS's All NAHLN Laboratory List (PDF, 09/2026). NAHLN labs are approved for certain federal disease testing. "IAV-A" means the lab is approved for avian influenza testing. Not every NAHLN lab offers backyard necropsy, so call before sending anything. APHIS says: "Please contact the lab prior to submitting samples to confirm they are able to accept them." States with no lab listed may send samples to a neighboring state's lab. Ask your state veterinarian.
Alabama
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Thomas-Bishop-Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory | 890 Simms Road, Auburn, Alabama 36832-2026 | 334-844-4987 | yes |
Arizona
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | 2831 North Freeway, Tuscon, Arizona 85705-5021 | 520-621-2356 | yes |
Arkansas
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Arkansas Department of Agriculture Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Main) | 1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-1539 | 501-823-1730 | yes |
| University of Arkansas System - Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Branch) | 2200 West Deane Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703 | 479-575-5081 | yes |
California
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory | University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, 620 West Health Science Drive, Califonia, Davis, California 95616 | 530-752-8709 | yes |
Colorado
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Main) | 2450 Gillette Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526 | 970-297-1281 | yes |
| Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory-Rocky Ford (Branch) | 27847 County Road 21, Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067-9466 | 719-254-6382 | no |
| Wildlife Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NWRC) (Affiliate) | 4101 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 | 970-266-6090 | yes |
Connecticut
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory | University of Connecticut, Unit 3089, 61 North Eagleville Road, Conneticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089 | 860-486-3738 | yes |
Delaware
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| University of Delaware Poultry Health System - Lasher Laboratory (Main) | 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, Delaware 19947-4867 | 302-856-7303 | yes |
| Charles C. Allen Biotechnology Laboratory (Branch) | Department of Animal & Food Sciences, University of Delaware, 531 South College Avenue, Room 44 Townsend Hall, Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716-2150 | 302-275-9839 | yes |
Florida
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory | Florida Department of Ag and Consumer Servcices, 2700 N. John Young Parkway, Florida, Kissimmee, Florida 34741-1266 | 321-697-1400 | yes |
Georgia
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Main) | University of Georgia, 501 D.W. Brooks Drive, Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-5023 | 706-542-5568 | yes |
| University of Georgia Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Branch) | 43 Brighton Road, Tifton, Georgia 31793-3000 | 229-386-3340 | yes |
| Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network | 3235 Abit Massey Way, Gainesville, Georgia 30507-7745 | 770-766-6810 | yes |
| USDA, FSIS, Eastern Laboratory (Affiliate) | 950 College Station Road, Athens, Georgia 30605 | 706-713-5899 | yes |
Hawaii
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| State Laboratories Division (Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture) | 2725 Waimano Home Road, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782-1401 | 808-453-6650 | yes |
Idaho
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Idaho State Department of Agriculture Animal Health Laboratory | 2300 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712 | 208-332-8570 | yes |
Illinois
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | 2001 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana, Illinois 61802-6178 | 217-333-1620 | yes |
Indiana
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University | 406 South University St, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2065 | 765-494-7440 | yes |
Iowa
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | 1937 Christensen Drive, Ames, Iowa 50011-1134 | 515-294-1950 | yes |
Kansas
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | Kansas State University, CVM, L232 Mosier Hall, 1800 Denison Ave, Kansas, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-5611 | 785-532-5650 | yes |
Kentucky
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Breathitt Veterinary Center | Murray State University, 101 MSU Drive, Kentucky, Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42240-2620 | 270-886-3959 | yes |
| University of Kentucky, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | 1490 Bull Lea Rd, Lexington, Kentucky 40511-1264 | 859-257-8283 | yes |
Louisiana
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory | Louisiana State University, River Road Room 1043, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-0001 | 225-578-9777 | yes |
Maryland
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Maryland Department of Agriculture & Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory (Main) | 27722 Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, Maryland 21801-1608 | 410-543-6610 | yes |
| Frederick Animal Health Laboratory (Branch) | 1840 Rosemont Ave, Frederick, Maryland 21702-8218 | 301-600-1548 | yes |
Michigan
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | College of Veterinary Medicine, 4125 Beaumont Rd, Ste 201H, Michigan, Lansing, Michigan 48910-8103 | 517-353-1683 | yes |
Minnesota
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Main) | 1333 Gortner Ave, 244 Vet D L, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108-1098 | 612-625-8787 | yes |
| Minnesota Poultry Testing Lab (Branch) | University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, 622 Business Hwy 71 NE, Minnesota, Willmar, Minnesota 56201 | 320-231-5170 | yes |
Mississippi
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory | 3137 Hwy 468 West, Pearl, Mississippi 39208-9007 | 601-420-4700 | yes |
Missouri
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory | University of Missouri, 901 E. Campus Loop, Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211-0001 | 573-882-6811 | yes |
| Missouri Department of Agriculture Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | 701 North Miller Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65802-6460 | 417-895-6861 | yes |
Montana
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | 1911 W. Lincoln St, Bozeman, Montana 59718-4132 | 406-994-4885 | yes |
Nebraska
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| University of Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center | 4040 East Campus Loop North, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0907 | 402-472-1434 | yes |
New Jersey
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory | 3 Schwarzkopf Drive, Jersey Ewing, New Jersey 08628 | 609-406-6999 | yes |
New Mexico
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| New Mexico Department of Agriculture Veterinary Diagnostic Services (NMDA/VDS) | 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102-4519 | 505-383-9299 | yes |
New York
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Animal Health Diagnostic Center | College of Vet Med, Cornell University, 240 Farrier Road, New York, Ithaca, New York 14853-8002 | 607-253-3900 | yes |
North Carolina
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Rollins Diagnostic Laboratory | North Carolina Department of Agriculture, 4400 Reedy Creek Road, 39, Carolina Raleigh, North Carolina 27607-6432 | 919-733-3986 | yes |
North Dakota
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | North Dakota State University NDSU, Dept. 7691, 40, Fargo, North Dakota 58108-6050 | 701-231-8307 | yes |
Ohio
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory | Ohio Department of Agriculture, 8995 East Main St., Bldg. # 6, Ohio, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-3342 | 614-728-6220 | yes |
Oklahoma
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory | Oklahoma State University, College of Vet. Med., 1950 West Farm Road, Oklahoma, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-0001 | 405-744-6623 | yes |
Oregon
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | Oregon State University, 700 SW 30th St, Magruder Hall 134, Oregon, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-8628 | 541-737-3261 | yes |
Pennsylvania
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory (Main) | Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 2305 N Cameron Street, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9405 | 717-787-8808 | yes |
| Pennsylvania State University, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (Branch) | 131 Pastureview Road, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 | 814-863-0837 | yes |
| University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center, PADLS (Branch) | 382 West Street Rd, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348-1692 | 610-444-5800 | yes |
South Carolina
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center | 500 Clemson Road, South, Columbia, South Carolina 29229-4306, Carolina | 803-788-2260 | yes |
South Dakota
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory | South Dakota State University, 1155 North Campus Drive, 48, Brookings, South Dakota 57007-0001 | 605-688-5171 | yes |
Tennessee
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory | Tennessee Department of Agriculture, 436 Hogan Road, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee 37220-2014 | 615-837-5125 | yes |
Texas
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory - College Station (Main) | 483 Agronomy Road, College Station, Texas 77843-4471 | 979-845-3414 | yes |
| Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory – Canyon (Branch) | 3209 Russell Long Blvd, Canyon, Texas 79016 | 806-651-7478 | yes |
| Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory - Center (Branch) | 635 Malone Dr, Center, Texas 75935-3530 | 936-598-4451 | yes |
| Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory – Gonzales (Branch) | 1162 East Sarah DeWitt Drive, Gonzales, Texas 78629 | 830-672-2834 | yes |
Utah
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | Utah State University, 950 E. 1400 North, Utah, Logan, Utah 84341-2877 | 435-797-1895 | yes |
Virginia
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services | 245 Duckpond Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 | 540-231-4924 | yes |
| VDACS Lynchburg Laboratory (Branch) | 4832 Tyreeanna Road, Lynchburg, Virginia 24504 | 434-200-9988 | yes |
| VDACS Warrenton Regional Animal Health Lab (Branch) | 272 Academy Hill Road, Warrenton, Virginia 20186 | 540-316-6543 | yes |
| VDACS Wytheville Regional Animal Health Lab (Branch) | 250 Cassell Road, Wytheville, Virginia 24382 | 276-228-5501 | no |
Washington
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (Main) | 1940 SE Olympia Ave, Pullman, Washington 99164-7034 | 509-335-9696 | yes |
| Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory - WADDL - Puyallup (Branch) | 2607 W Pioneer, Puyallup, Washington 98371-4919 | 253-445-4537 | yes |
West Virginia
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Moorefield Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory | West Virginia Dept of Agriculture Animal Health Division, 60-B Moorefield Industrial Park Rd, 62, Moorefield, West Virginia 26836 | 304-538-2397 | yes |
Wisconsin
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | 445 Easterday Lane, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1253 | 608-262-5432 | yes |
| USGS National Wildlife Health Center (Affiliate) | 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711-2531 | 608-270-2400 | yes |
Wyoming
| Lab | Address | Phone | Avian flu (IAV-A)? |
|---|
| Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory | 1174 Snowy Range Road, Laramie, Wyoming 82070-6752 | 307-766-9925 | yes |
| Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Health Laboratory | 1174 Snowy Range Rd, Laramie, Wyoming 82070 | 307-745-5865 | yes |
States with no NAHLN lab on the 09/2026 list: Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont. Ask your state veterinarian.
Written 2026-10-21 from the public sources linked above. Not reviewed by a veterinarian yet.