tested birds. Furthermore, official recognition is not given to partially tested 

 non-reacting flocks by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture. Flock 

 owners who test all birds on the premises, including fowl other than chickens, 

 follow a measure free of speculation. 



3. Negative flock "breaks" — The appearance of infection in previously non- 

 reacting flocks is a matter of great concern to the flock owner as well as to the 

 testing agency. While the number of "breaks" is not great from year to year, 

 this problem is a serious one to the flock owner whose flock becomes re-infected. 

 The elimination of pullorum disease from a previously non-reacting flock is more 

 expensive than from an infected flock not previously negative, because in addition 

 to the cost of eliminating the infection the owner also suffers the loss of his pul- 

 lorum-free flock rating, which definitely affects his sales. Owners of breeding 

 flocks should recognize all the possible avenues through which pullorum infection 

 may be introduced and exercise effective precautions against the introduction 

 of the disease. Vigilance against pullorum disease should be practiced the entire 

 year. 



4. Retesting and replacement of infected flocks — In the eradication of infection 

 from a flock the owner can select one of several methods or even a combination of 

 methods. The elimination of the disease through retesting may be very expensive 

 and is recommended only when a flock represents valuable breeding stock and the 

 income from the operation of the plant justifies the expenditure for retesting. 



Owners of infected flocks apparently favor the eradication of the disease from 

 the premises through replacement with pullorum-clean stock, rather than through 

 retesting. Whatever procedure is adopted, the owner should remember that a 

 sound program has many details which must be conscientiously observed in order 

 to attain success in eliminating the disease. The testing agency is glad to co- 

 operate with owners of infected flocks who wish to draw up a program for eradi- 

 cation. 



5. Pallor urn-disease eradication requires education — The value of pullorum- 

 disease eradication is recognized by the poultry industry. However, progress in 

 eradication can be greatly expedited by means of effective and far-reaching 

 education. With a constant change in flock owners in this State from year to 

 year, the need for education continues. Various agencies (including flock owners, 

 county poultry associations, county extension services, etc.) through cooperative 

 effort could sponsor a very effective educational program which would result in 

 a great monetary saving to the Massachusetts Poultry Industry. Considering 

 the progress that has been made in the establishment of pullorum-free flocks, 

 every effort should be exercised to use this pullorum-free stock to the fullest 

 extent to bring about further progress in eradication and to serve the poultry 

 industry in the maximum capacity. Official lists of pullorum-free flocks can be 

 obtained from State agencies. Such lists serve as a helpful guide in the purchase 

 of stock and in selecting flocks for custom or commercial hatching. 



6. Official recognition of pullorum free flocks — Flock owners whose flocks 

 may be eligible for the official grades "pullorum passed" and "pullorum clean" 

 should apply to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, State House, 

 Boston, for official recognition. Records show that many owners whose flocks 

 are eligible for either of the two grades have failed to apply to the Massachusetts 

 Department of Agriculture for the listing of their flocks. 



Publication of this Document Approved by Commission on Administration and Finance 

 2500-7-'3Q No. 7779. 



