ERADICATION OF PULI.ORUM DISEASE 1930-31 6 



Range of Weight Number of Chicks 



90-100 grams 1 



100-200 grams 4 



200-300 grams 3 



300-400 grams 12 



400-500 grams 8 



500-558 grams 1 



Three chicks of different sizes are shown in photograph No. 2. Since all of 

 these chicks were treated alike and were kept under the same hover, the vari- 

 ation in size is not attributable to management. 



Photograph 2. — Six-weeks-old Chicks Exposed to PuUorum Infection when 72 Hours 

 Old. Weights of Chicks: No. 1, 115 grains; No. 2, 488 grams; No. 3, 193 grams. 



Some poultrymen and hatcherymen recognize the fact that in raising pullor- 

 um diseased chicks mortality and variation in size are usually to be expected. 

 A few have modified their methods of selling chicks. Instead of selling day- 

 old chicks they offer "started" chicks. The term "started" chicks means chicks 

 ten to fourteen days of age. The sales propaganda that usually is associated 

 with "started" chicks implies that they have passed the age at which they are 

 the weakest and at which the greatest mortality occurs. Furthermore, "start- 

 ed" chicks are often said to be stronger and more uniform in size. The sale 

 of "started" chicks is to be discouraged, unless the purchaser is informed 

 definitely and honestly about the true pullorum disease status of the chicks. 

 Often the purchaser is led to believe that "started" chicks have had a high 

 livability and that they are free of disease. This statement may be supported 

 by giving the buyer chicks of uniform size but not stating their correct ages. 

 The stunted and weaker chicks may be withheld and disposed of in some other 

 manner. Ordinarily among infected chicks that have not been culled for size, 

 the stunted and weaker ones may die off while growing to maturity; or if 

 they reach maturity, they may be culled from the flock as undesirable for 

 production and breeding. One must not assume that all under-developed 



