DISTRIBUTION OF TESTS AND REACTORS 



A total of 1,144,365 chicken samples from 11 counties was tested, and the 

 percentage of positive tests was 0.08. No reactors were detected in eight counties. 

 Also, the Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Leghorns tested revealed no reactors. 

 Essex, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Bristol Counties led in the number of samples 

 tested. 



The following breeds were tested: Bantam, Barred Plymouth Rock, Colum- 

 bian, Cornish, Crosses, Delaware, New Yampshire, Rhode Island Red, White 

 American, White Leghorn, White Plymouth Rock. 



The White Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock, New 

 Hampshire, and White Leghorn were the predominating breeds tested. Of the 

 total samples tested, 31.65 percent were taken from White Plymouth Rock, 26.86 

 percent from Rhode Island Red, 18.27 percent from Barred Plymouth Rock, 9.18 

 percent from the New Hampshire, and the remainder from other breeds. 



Of the 1,046,456 samples collected from females, 50,790 were from hens and 

 995,666 from pullets, with 0.37 and 0.07 percent reactors, respectively. Among 

 the 97,909 samples collected from males, 0.03 percent were positive. 



ANNUAL TESTING OF FLOCKS 



Table 2 lists the results from flocks tested (1) for the first time, (2) intermit- 

 tently, (3) for two consecutive years, and (4) for three or more consecutive years. 



In the group tested for the first time, 165 reactors were detected in one flock 

 that is being subjected to an intensive retesting program to eliminate the infection 

 from the flock. An acute outbreak of the disease occurred in part of the flock after 

 the birds were in production. Fewer flocks and birds were tested in this group than 

 during the previous season. The average number of birds to a flock in this group 

 was 1,191. 



In the intermittent group only one reactor was detected. This was a Bantam 

 on a farm where different breeds and fowl other than chickens were being reared. 

 This flock was retested and no additional reactors were detected. The average 

 number of birds to a flock was 2,772. 



Table 2. Annual Testing Versus Single and Intermittent Testing 



