FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT ON PULLORUM 

 DISEASE ERADICATION IN MASSACHUSETTS 



1933-34 



By the Poultry Disease Control Laboratory ^ 



Introduction 



The purpose of puUorum disease testing in tlie State of Massachusetts is to 

 establish and to identify pullorum disease-free flocks in order that poultrymen 

 may prevent losses from this disease due to decreased fertility and hatchability, 

 chick and adult mortalities, and reduced sales. Testing records extending over 

 a period of fourteen years clearly show that much progress has been made in 

 establishing pullorum disease-free flocks. The accomplishment in eradication 

 of the disease in many of the flocks is largely attributed to persistent testing under 

 State supervision, together with the cooperation received from flock owners, 

 members of the Poultry Department, Massachusetts State College, State Exten- 

 sion Service, and other agencies. 



Reduction in Price of Testing 



During the past year the price of testing was reduced to seven cents per bird, 

 including the cost of the legband. This price is the same or less than that charged 

 in neighboring states where the testing work is conducted in a similar manner. 

 While certain agencies, principally those having a commercial interest, have 

 advocated a test which is lower in price, this laboratory has maintained the policy 

 that the poultry industry in this State deserves a high quality service which will 

 yield results upon which a sound business can be constructed. However, an 

 effort is made to perform the testing operations at the lowest cost possible, in 

 order to extend this service to the greatest possible number of poultry breeders, 

 without sacrificing accuracy or reliability of the results. 



Summary oj Service Rendered 



Applications received 278 



Applications cancelled 16 



Flocks tested 262 



Number of tests 284,916 



Chickens 284,848 



Fowl other than chickens: 



Routine 14 



Experimental 54 



Owners receiving necropsy service 41 



Necropsies of reacting birds 83 



Ip&ultry Disease Control Laboratory Staff: — H. Van Roekel, Chief of Laboratory; K. L. BuUis 

 and D. M. Yegian, Assistant Veterinary Pathologists; 0. S. Flint, Assistant Research Professor; 

 Miriam K. Clarke and Felicia Zimnoski, Laboratory Assistants. Appreciation is extended to 

 Dr. J. IJ. Lent/, for assistance given to the testing work. 



